India clinched the T20 World Cup for a record third time on Sunday, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs before a crowd of over 100,000 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Batting first after losing the toss, India posted a formidable 255-5. Opener Sanju Samson struck 89 off 46 balls, including eight sixes, marking his third consecutive fifty. Abhishek Sharma contributed a 21-ball 52, while Shivam Dube remained unbeaten on 26 from just eight deliveries. India’s top-order trio hit 15 sixes in total, helping the team reach 203-1 in 15 overs, the highest power play score in T20 World Cup history.

James Neesham (3-46) took three crucial wickets in the 16th over, dismissing Samson, Ishan Kishan (54 in 25 balls), and captain Suryakumar Yadav for a golden duck.

Chasing 256, New Zealand struggled throughout and were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs. Jasprit Bumrah picked up 4-15 and Axar Patel claimed 3-27. Tim Seifert top-scored with 52 off 26 balls.

India became the first country to defend its T20 World Cup title and also the first to win the trophy on home soil. This edition of the tournament was co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka. Yadav joined MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma as Indian captains to lift the T20 World Cup trophy.

New Zealand was aiming for its first T20 World Cup win and had previously finished as runners-up in 2021, losing to Australia in Dubai.