India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final and lifted their third T20 World Cup title. It was also India’s second consecutive T20 World Cup win, and the team became the first to win the tournament on home soil.

Amid the celebrations, the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 trophy has become a major talking point among cricket fans and former players. Several photos and videos showed players’ families, girlfriends, friends, and even some media members posing with the trophy. Former India cricketer Kirti Azad also raised questions after the trophy was taken to a Hanuman Temple and criticised Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir for it.

Many social media users have also raised concerns after photos and videos appeared online showing people posing with the trophy, kissing it, and even sleeping beside it. Some fans believe that too many people were given access to one of cricket’s most prestigious trophies.

Usually, after a team wins a major ICC tournament, the trophy is first given to the captain and the players during the official ceremony. Traditionally, the trophy is meant to be handled only by the players and official team members. The team celebrates together on stage, lifts the trophy, and poses for photographs. However, the celebrations often continue after the ceremony. Players sometimes invite their close family members and friends onto the field or into the team areas. In this case, several players were also seen celebrating with their girlfriends on the field.

Also read -Star Indian pacer handed massive fine by ICC after winning T20 World Cup 2026

It honestly feels like the ICC trophy has become public property now. Everyone seems to be handling it, players’ families, girlfriends, friends, even media people. You see photos of people kissing it, carrying it around, posing with it everywhere. At this point it almost looks… pic.twitter.com/8Jis92sBZb

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) March 10, 2026

Questions Raised Over Access to T20 World Cup Trophy

It was later seen that the trophy was sometimes passed around for photos, which is why many people were seen holding it. This has now raised questions among fans about how easily others were able to get access to the trophy.

Who Controls Access to the Trophy?

The responsibility of handling and protecting the trophy lies with the tournament organisers, match officials, and the winning team’s management. They make sure the trophy is presented properly during the ceremony and kept safe afterwards. However, just two days after India won the trophy, many photos and videos appeared on social media showing players, their family members, and others posing with it. Because of this, many internet users are asking how so many people were able to handle the trophy so easily.

The ICC trophy is one of the biggest achievements in international cricket. Many fans believe it should only be handled by the players and official team members who helped win it, not by their family members, friends, or girlfriends.

Some viral photos that fans are talking about include Arshdeep Singh’s brother-in-law posing with the trophy, Shivam Dube’s wife, and Abhishek Sharma’s sister holding it. Suryakumar Yadav also shared a photo where he and his wife were sleeping with the trophy placed between them, recreating a viral moment. Tilak Varma also posted a video with the trophy where he was seen sleeping and later brushing his teeth while holding it.

Here are fans’ reactions after the incident:

The trophy has lost its soul. You don't let tourists touch the crown jewels; why are we letting spectators touch the sweat of a nation?

— Sky (@ExitTheIllusion) March 10, 2026

Fully agreed, there was this incident a few years back when the FIFA World Cup Trophy was handled by someone who wasn’t allowed to and then h*ll broke loose and an enquiry was conducted.
These trophies are earned with a huge amount of skills and hard work. Stop this now.

— Biswajit (@sportsanyday) March 10, 2026

While the joy of victory is best shared with family and loved ones, the ICC World Cup trophy remains a symbol of the players’ blood, sweat and sacrifice.

— Vaishanvi Cricket (@Vaishnvii05) March 10, 2026

Such players shouldne fined heavily and sacked from team only than this trend will change

— bk9 (@Rt234981) March 10, 2026

Cup be like pic.twitter.com/pLET8Q2aZ6

— Nandan Chillal (@nandanchillal) March 10, 2026

India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. With this victory, Suryakumar Yadav and his team lifted India’s third T20 World Cup title on March 8. The historic win also sparked celebrations across the country.

However, amid the celebrations, India pacer Arshdeep Singh has been fined 15 percent of his match fee for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during the final against New Zealand.

According to the ICC, Arshdeep breached Article 2.9 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The rule relates to throwing a ball or any piece of cricket equipment at or near a player in an inappropriate or dangerous manner during an international match.

Along with the fine, one demerit point has been added to Arshdeep’s disciplinary record. This is his first offence in the last 24 months.

Also read -ICC T20 World Cup 2028: Complete details of dates, venues, hosts, qualified teams and tournament format

Why Arshdeep Singh Was Fined by ICC

India pacer Arshdeep Singh was fined by the ICC after an incident with New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final in Ahmedabad. After Mitchell defended the fifth ball of the over, Arshdeep picked up the ball and threw it towards the New Zealand all-rounder. The action created tension on the field as Mitchell reacted angrily and walked towards the Indian pacer. However, Arshdeep did not continue the argument and moved away. The on-field umpire later spoke to Arshdeep, while India captain Suryakumar Yadav stepped in and calmed the situation with Mitchell.

After the match, Arshdeep said that he spoke with Mitchell about the incident. Still, the ICC decided to punish the Indian pacer. According to the ICC statement, Arshdeep was found guilty of breaching Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct. The rule relates to throwing a ball or any cricket equipment at or near a player in an inappropriate or dangerous way during an international match. As a result, he was fined 15 percent of his match fee and also received one demerit point. It was his first offence in the last 24 months.

Arshdeep Accepts ICC Sanctions

The ICC also confirmed that Arshdeep accepted the punishment given by match referee Andy Pycroft. Because of this, there will be no formal hearing about the incident. Later in the over, Arshdeep and Mitchell were also seen shaking hands, showing that the situation had cooled down.

A Level 1 offence under the ICC Code of Conduct can lead to an official warning or a fine of up to 50 percent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points. If a player collects four or more demerit points within 24 months, they can face suspension from matches.

Meanwhile, India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final and lifted their third T20 World Cup title. It was also India’s second consecutive T20 World Cup win and the team became the first to win the tournament on home soil.

The celebrations at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad were full of emotion, pride, and memorable moments as the India national cricket team finished a strong campaign and lifted the trophy.

Indian players were hugging each other and celebrating on the field. One heartwarming moment from the celebrations has gone viral on social media. A fan who looked like part of the support staff was seen hugging Jay Shah during the post-match celebrations after India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

As players and officials celebrated on the ground, the excited supporter ran forward and warmly hugged Jay Shah. The moment created a light and joyful scene during the celebrations.

Videos of the hug quickly spread on social media, and many fans reacted to the spontaneous moment. Many people said it showed the passion and excitement of fans after India defeated the New Zealand national cricket team in the final. The moment became another special memory from the emotional celebrations after India’s historic win.

Watch the viral moment here:

The way that guy hugged Jay Shah.🤣👌🏻

Unreal fan following man.🫡 pic.twitter.com/9Hz4JC0KqG

— Rohan💫 (@rohann__45) March 9, 2026

Jay Shah Shares Special Moment With Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni

Earlier on the victory night, ICC Chairman Jay Shah shared a special moment with former India captain Rohit Sharma and former India captain MS Dhoni after India won the T20 World Cup 2026 title. The ICC shared a video of the moment on X (formerly Twitter). In the video, Jay Shah can be seen hugging Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni during the celebrations.

India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The video posted by the ICC captured several celebration moments involving Jay Shah, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni after the historic win.

See Also -Watch: Tilak Varma shows respect to Indian flag after it slips during India’s T20 World Cup 2026 victory lap

India vs New Zealand T20 World Cup Final Highlights

India were in control from the very start of the T20 World Cup final against New Zealand. The team raced to 92/0 in the Powerplay as Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma attacked the New Zealand bowling led by Mitchell Santner.

Ishan Kishan and Shivam Dube also played important roles as India scored a huge total of 255/5. Hardik Pandya added a quick cameo, scoring 18 runs from 13 balls.

While chasing the target, New Zealand lost Finn Allen and Rachin Ravindra early. Glenn Phillips and Mark Chapman were also dismissed quickly. Tim Seifert tried to keep New Zealand in the match and scored 52 runs from 26 balls, but he did not get enough support from the other batters.

In the end, New Zealand were all out for 159 in 19 overs. Jasprit Bumrah led the bowling attack with an excellent spell of 4/15 in four overs and was named Player of the Match. Sanju Samson won the Player of the Tournament award, becoming the third Indian player to achieve this after Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah.

Axar Patel also bowled well and took 3/27 in his three overs. Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakaravarthy, and Abhishek Sharma took one wicket each.

The ICC Men's T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad was full of emotion, pride, and memorable moments as the Indian cricket team finished an excellent tournament and lifted the trophy. During the victory lap at the famous Narendra Modi Stadium, a small but touching moment involving Tilak Varma caught the attention of fans.

While the players were walking around the stadium and greeting the cheering crowd, Tilak Varma was happily waving the Indian tricolour flag. The young batter, who is now an important part of the team, was enjoying the special celebration with his teammates and the fans.

During the celebrations, the flag suddenly slipped from the pole and fell to the ground. Tilak did not notice it at first as the team continued their lap around the stadium. A support staff member quickly picked up the flag and gave it back to him. When Tilak realized what had happened, he immediately showed respect and humility. The moment was simple, but it showed his respect for the national flag and was appreciated by many fans.

Watch the video here:

During the victory lap, Tilak Varma was waving the Indian tricolor. At one moment, the flag slipped out of the pole and fell to the ground. He didn’t notice it immediately, but when a member of the support staff quickly picked it up and gave it back, Tilak placed the tricolor on… pic.twitter.com/wzM1PdZEt3

— 𝐑𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐢⁴⁵ (@rushiii_12) March 9, 2026

Also read - 'Olympic Medal...'- Gautam Gambhir eyes new mission after T20 World Cup 2026 win

Respectful Moment from Tilak Varma

In a touching moment, the young player placed the Indian flag on his forehead. This is a simple way to show respect and thanks. He also looked like he was saying sorry for the accident, because the Indian tricolour is very important for millions of people in the country.

Fans in the stadium and on social media noticed this moment quickly. Many people praised Tilak Varma for showing respect to the national flag. They said his reaction showed both pride and a sense of responsibility in playing for India.

After the historic win, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a cash reward of ₹131 crore for the Indian cricket team.

India defeated New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With this win, Suryakumar Yadav and his boys defended their title and became the first team in T20 World Cup history to win the trophy again in the next tournament. This was also India’s third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title, making the team one of the most successful in the format.

India won its third T20 World Cup 2026 title in an exciting match against New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Suryakumar Yadav and the team played very well with both bat and ball. After scoring a huge 256 runs in the first innings, India bowled out New Zealand for 159 runs.

The Men in Blue worked hard during a tough month-long tournament and celebrated their big win after a memorable final. During the tournament, the team won many important matches and broke several records, showing great teamwork and effort from all the players.

Here is a look at the records that Team India and their players broke during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026:

Also read -Watch: Shoaib Akhtar’s ‘Saare gareeb bachchon…’ comment on India’s T20 World Cup 2026 win goes viral

1. Highest Total in T20 World Cup Final

The Men in Blue scored 255 runs against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. This is the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup Final match. The Indian batsmen played with great confidence and power, hitting boundaries and sixes consistently. Their total of 255 set a very big target for New Zealand, making it very hard for them to chase in the final.

2. Highest Opening Wicket Partnership in T20 World Cup Final

Abhishek Sharma had not performed well in the earlier matches of the tournament, but he played a brilliant innings in the final. He scored a half-century, which was very important for India. While he stayed at the crease, he shared a 98-run partnership for the first wicket with Sanju Samson. Sanju Samson also played very well and scored 89 runs. Their partnership gave India a strong start and built the foundation for the big total.

3. Fastest Fifty in T20 World Cup 2026

Abhishek Sharma’s half-century in the final was not only important for India’s total but also became the fastest fifty in this year’s T20 World Cup. He reached 50 runs in just 18 balls. His aggressive and quick batting helped India to score runs fast and put pressure on New Zealand from the beginning of their innings.

4. First Team to Hit 100+ Sixes in a T20 Series

The Men in Blue are known for playing very aggressive cricket, and hitting sixes is a big part of their game. In the final against New Zealand, the team hit 18 sixes. During the whole tournament, India hit more than 100 sixes. This is the first time any team has hit over 100 sixes in a single T20 World Cup series. Their power hitting made the matches very exciting for the fans.

5. First Team to Score Consecutive 250+ in T20 Internationals

The Indian batsmen scored more than 250 runs in back-to-back matches during the tournament. They scored 250+ runs against England in the semi-final and again scored more than 250 against New Zealand in the final. This is the first time any team has scored 250 or more in two consecutive T20 International matches. It shows how strong and consistent India’s batting line-up was throughout the tournament.

6. First to Win T20 World Cup as Player and Coach

India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, created a record of his own. He had won the T20 World Cup as a player in 2007, where he was the highest scorer in the final. Now, in 2026, he has won the T20 World Cup as a coach. He is the first person in history to win the T20 World Cup as both a player and a coach. His experience, guidance, and leadership were important for India’s success in this tournament.

India put up a dominant show to beat New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final on 8 March. The Men in Blue earned a massive 96-run win at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. This victory has also marked the first time the team has defended the trophy. The victory also marked India’s third trophy in the tournament. It was a moment of pride for the team as well as the fans.

India’s batting unit delivered a powerful performance after being asked to bat first. Abhishek Sharma provided a blazing start with a quick 52 off just 21 balls. Ishan Kishan carried forward the momentum with a score of 54 runs from 25 balls. Sanju Samson once again stood out with a brilliant knock of 89 runs off 46 balls.

Although James Neesham picked up three wickets in the 16th over to slow down India’s scoring rate, the hosts finished strongly. Shivam Dube played a rapid unbeaten knock of 26 from just eight balls. His late hitting helped India reach a massive total of 255. In response, the Kiwis found it hard to maintain the required pace and got bowled out for 159 runs. Jasprit Bumrah produced a sensational bowling performance to lead the attack, handing India a comfortable 96-run victory.

Samson’s Emotional Message and Tournament Brilliance

Following this historic win, Samson posted an emotional message on social media, thanking his partner for her constant support. Samson posted an image and expressed gratitude for standing by him through every phase of his life and career.

"Right from the day I met you, till this day of my life..!! Thank you so very much for being by my side, loving me for who I am and being absolutely true and honest to me no matter what I was to the outside world. Seeing my best side, seeing my worst side, you have seen it all and still stood strong by me!! Thank you for understanding how big cricket is in my life and making it the same for you."

Sanju Samson thanking his wife after a brilliant T20 World Cup 2026. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Qq744V3Dx6

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 9, 2026

See Also: Gautam Gambhir responds to MS Dhoni’s 'Coach Sahab' message after India’s T20 World Cup 2026 win

Samson also had a remarkable tournament with the bat. He finished as India’s leading run-scorer and the third-highest overall in the competition despite playing only five innings. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 321 runs at an average of 80.25 and a strike rate of 199.37. His tally included three consecutive half-centuries and a highest score of 97 not out against the West Indies.

For a long time, the relationship between MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir is a common topic of discussion among cricket enthusiasts. The names of these two cricket legends are usually mentioned together in the context of the historic ODI World Cup final in 2011. The recent comments made by Gautam Gambhir on MS Dhoni’s famous match-winning six were also a point of discussion. However, the two cricket legends shared a heartwarming moment during the T20 World Cup 2026 final.

MS Dhoni was present at the final of the T20 World Cup 2026 played between India and New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match has become a special day for Indian cricket fans. India has registered a huge win over New Zealand by 96 runs to claim their third T20 World Cup title and has become the first team to defend the trophy.

After the match, Dhoni shared a special message on Instagram congratulating the Indian team. In his post, he praised the players, the support staff and fans across the world. He also sent a light-hearted message to head coach Gautam Gambhir. The post quickly went viral among cricket fans on social media.

Dhoni and Gambhir Share Friendly Exchange

"History gets created at Ahmedabad, big congratulations to the team and support staff and to all the fans of the Indian Cricket Team worldwide. Such a pleasure to see all of you play. Coach Sahab, smile looks great on you. Intensity with smile is a killer combo, very well done. Enjoy guys (BUMRAH ke baare mein kuch na likhoon tou hi acha hai. CHAMPION BOWLER)," Dhoni captioned the post.

Gambhir soon replied to Dhoni’s message and appreciated his presence at the final. "And what a reason to smile, great seeing you," he wrote in response. Dhoni had also walked out with the trophy during the celebration alongside Rohit Sharma, the captain of India’s 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team.

~Gautam Gambhir replied to MS Dhoni’s Instagram post. ❤️

~Two heroes of the 2011 World Cup final sharing respect after India’s historic T20 World Cup 2026 win. 🇮🇳🏆

~Gambhir commented:
“And what a reason to smile, great seeing u!”

~Moments like these remind everyone of the… pic.twitter.com/SCASS9fxVn

— BRAINLESS 🧠 (@Brainless629009) March 9, 2026

See Also: Watch: 'Their policies...'- Shoaib Akhtar reacts to India winning T20 World Cup 2026

India’s victory in the final was built on an outstanding batting performance. Sanju Samson led the scoring with a brilliant 89 off 46 balls. Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan also scored impressive half-centuries. Later, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel delivered strong bowling performances as India secured a dominant 96-run win over New Zealand.

India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. With this win, India lifted its third ICC Men's T20 World Cup title on March 8. The victory led to huge celebrations across the country.

There were also reactions from Pakistan, whose team had been eliminated in the Super 8 stage of the tournament. Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar shared his thoughts about India’s win during a discussion on the streaming platform Tapmad.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar shared his thoughts on India’s win. He spoke on a Pakistani platform called Tapmad. Akhtar used a simple example to explain his view about India. He said: "India ne koshish ki jaise ameer bachcha nahi hota ek mahalle mein, aur saare ghareeb bachchon ko bula leta hai aao cricket khelein, jeetna sirf maine hai India bhi yahi kar raha hai, ("India is like that rich kid who invites everyone over and says, 'Come, let's play cricket, but the winner will be me')"

Watch the video here: 

🚨 Gems of SHOAIB AKHTAR is back 🚨

India ne koshish ki aise ameer bachcha nahi hota ek mahalle mein aur saare ghareeb bachchon ko bula leta hai.

aao cricket khelein jeetna sirf maine hai India bhi yahi kar raha hai hamare saath.

Watch till the end 🤣🤣

Once he used to earn… pic.twitter.com/2KfcDODJaU

— 𝑨𝑻10 (@Loyalsachfan10) March 8, 2026

Also read -Watch: Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav visit Hanuman temple after India’s historic T20 World Cup win vs New Zealand

India’s Strong Run in ICC Tournaments

India, also known as the Men in Blue, have been very strong in ICC tournaments since 2023. They have lost only two matches in three major tournaments. These two losses came in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup and in a Super 8 match against South Africa.

Apart from these defeats, India won the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy without losing a match. Surya Kumar Yadavand his team have now also defended their T20 World Cup title at home by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final.

Meanwhile, Pakistan had a poor campaign in the tournament. They struggled to beat Netherlands and then lost badly to India. They later defeated the USA and Namibia to reach the Super 8 stage.

However, their Super 8 journey was disappointing. Their first match against New Zealand was washed out because of rain. They then lost to England and were later knocked out after failing to beat Sri Lanka by the required margin.

Ravi Shastri was the voice of some of the most memorable moments in Indian cricket. Ex-India cricketer and commentator Ravi Shastri has had a few iconic lines over the years. Fans still remember his commentary during Yuvraj Singh’s six sixes and India’s 2011 World Cup win. Because of this history, many expected another memorable line during the T20 World Cup 2026 final.

India faced New Zealand in the final on March 8 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. As the match reached its final moments, the Men in Blue were just one wicket away from victory. Ravi Shastri was on commentary during the crucial moment. Fans believed his words would once again create a historic commentary line.

However, the final moment turned out to be slightly unexpected in the commentary box. Abhishek Sharma dismissed Jacob Duffy, and Tilak Varma completed the catch in the deep. As India sealed the win, Shastri initially thought it was only the ninth wicket. The moment quickly caught attention among fans watching the match.

Shastri Quickly Corrects Himself on Air

“Taken in the deep. The ninth wicket goes down,” Shastri said on air before quickly realizing the mistake. He soon corrected himself after understanding that the match had actually ended. The commentator then announced India’s historic victory.

“And it’s all done, actually. It’s India who win the World Cup for the third time. The first team to win back-to-back World Cups and the first hosts to win the T20 World Cup on their home turf. It’s a fantastic performance for India.”

Watch the video here

Ravi Shastri ending the #T20WorldCup like it’s Day 1 stumps: ‘Taken… ninth wicket… oh it’s done, India win.’ 😭
Ian Smith would’ve given us ‘BY THE BAREST OF MARGINS!’ fireworks. Bishop? Poetry. Shastri? Close of play. Bro, we needed the drama. #INDVNZ
pic.twitter.com/9flgdu7VPz

— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) March 8, 2026

See Also: “I want to win…” – Hardik Pandya sets big goal after India’s T20 World Cup 2026 triumph

Although the moment included a small error, it did not take away from India’s historic achievement. The Men in Blue became the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times. They also created history by successfully defending the title for the first time in the tournament’s history.

India celebrated a historic win after beating New Zealand in the final of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Men in Blue won this match by 96 runs to grab their third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title. With this win, India also became the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title successfully. The victory prompted far-reaching celebrations in the country. 

The all-rounder Hardik Pandya played a significant role in the tournament and expressed his ambitions after the victory. Speaking after the match, Pandya said he still has many years of cricket left in him. He said his aim is to assist India in winning more ICC trophies in the coming years. Pandya said he hopes to dominate world cricket over the next decade.

"I have 10 more years left in me, and I want to win 10 more ICC titles. That's my goal. It's quite emotional. Because of winning the WC in India, the excitement of the people is amazing. The effort we have put in... From yesterday, I knew we are champions. The only self-belief I had was that there was no other result. Losing wasn't a thought," Pandya said.

Pandya Reflects on Key Moments and Team Effort

Hardik Pandya also shared an incident from the semi-final match against England. He shared the experience when the all-rounder bowled the 19th over in the match. He mentioned that the positive experience from the 2024 T20 World Cup was helpful to him in staying calm in critical situations.

"I am thankful for God. When I was bowling the 19th over against England, I was thinking about the 2024 World Cup final. I told Kishan and Abhishek also that when you go out to bat, think of good memories," he said.

See Also: See: Viral video shows Indian fan wanting India to lose T20 World Cup 2026 Final

Pandya also praised teammates Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson for their performances during the tournament. "This is what life teaches you. When you work hard, try to be happy in others' happiness, God gives you opportunities. It's a learning for the whole nation. That's when you stay quiet and work hard, God gives you opportunities. Really proud of them," Pandya added.

Earlier in the match, India posted a huge total of 255/5 after being asked to bat first. Sanju Samson scored 89 from 46 balls, Abhishek Sharma smashed 52 off 21 balls, and Ishan Kishan added a quick 54 from 25 deliveries. Shivam Dube’s unbeaten 26 from just eight balls helped India finish strongly. In reply, despite Tim Seifert’s 52, New Zealand were bowled out as Axar Patel (3/27) and Jasprit Bumrah (4/15) guided India to a memorable title victory.