In the Final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, hosts and defending champions India started dominantly against New Zealand, as the Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson thrashed the entire Blackcaps bowling line-up. 

Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is hosting the final match of the tournament on Sunday night (March 8), where New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner chose to field first. While the Indian batters Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are in dream form with their bat, the opener Abhishek Sharma has mostly struggled in the tournament.  

Watch: Sanju Samson & Abhishek Sharma smash Jacob Duffy for 15-run over in IND vs NZ T20 World Cup 2026 final

Abhishek Sharma slammed 18-ball fifty in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Final

However, the team management has put enough faith in the players, which have produced strong results for the Men in Blue. Indian openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson provided a thunderous start for India, as the hosts and defending champions India scored 92/0 at the end of the powerplay 

While Sanju scored 33 runs, Abhishek completed his half-century in just 18 balls. Indian openers secured 12 runs at the end of the first two overs of the match, but then they thrashed 80 runs in the next four overs of the powerplay, striking 20 runs per over in that period.  

Watch the videos of powerful starts by Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson

The following videos give some ideas on how the Indian openers dominated with the bat from the early period of the innings.  

Launched into the stands! 🙌6️⃣

Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson have got Team India off to a strong start! 🔥

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | FINAL | #INDvNZ | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/Tz1DBSb4nT pic.twitter.com/pyALmdt7fQ

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 8, 2026

CHETTA POWER! 💪

Outrageous six from Sanju Samson as 21 runs came off Matt Henry's over! 🥶

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | FINAL | #INDvNZ | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/Tz1DBSb4nT pic.twitter.com/LGg4snOIuP

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 8, 2026

Cometh the hour, cometh the man! 😍

Abhishek Sharma brings up his fifty in just 18 balls, fastest of the tournament! 💪

ICC Men’s #T20WorldCup | FINAL | #INDvNZ | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/Tz1DBSb4nT pic.twitter.com/mcmGhlxJxe

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 8, 2026