India in cruise control of the T20 World Cup final as New Zealand struggles in the opening 10 overs chasing 255 runs. India close in on the T20 world cup title
Axar Patel (Pic: BCCI)
Chasing a record 256 runs in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026, New Zealand needed a strong start in the powerplay. All eyes were on Finn Allen, New Zealand's semi-final hero, to put on a show again.
Arshdeep Singh opened the Indian bowling and created an instant opportunity as Allen hit the ball in the air; however, Shivam Dube dropped the catch, giving the Kiwi opener a reprieve. However, Allen's luck soon ran out as he was caught by Tilak Varma off Axar Patel's bowling.
Rachin Ravindra was the next one to go as Jasprit Bumrah used the slower ball to great effect. Ravindra mistimed his shot, and Ishan Kishan took a diving catch to send the Kiwis' number 3 packing.
Glenn Philips was the next to depart as Axar Patel knocked off his leg stump to put India in control of the final. Mark Chapman was the next to go as he inside edged onto the stumps and New Zealand lost their fourth wicket. Jasprit Bumrah was once again the star of the show for India as he took 1 wicket for just 9 runs of his two overs in the powerplay.
Tim Siefert was the star for New Zealand as he scored 52 runs in just 25 balls. However, the Kiwi opener soon departed after an excellent catch by Ishan Kishan at deep mid-wicket.
India scored a record 255 runs in the first innings of the T20 World Cup 2026
India put themselves in a commanding position by scoring 255 runs at the end of their innings. Fifties from Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan guided India to a record first innings score in a T20 World Cup final.
Abhishek Sharma's World Cup finally kicked off in the final, as he scored his maiden half-century of the campaign. The free-scoring southpaw scored 52 of 21 balls to give India a fiery start as the 'Men in Blue' scored 92 in the powerplay.
Sanju Samson brought up his third consecutive fifty and scored 89 runs from 46 balls. Ishan Kishan chipped in with yet another 50 to put India in a strong position. The duo put on a partnership of over 100 runs to put India in cruise control of the final.
Jimmy Neesham brought New Zealand back in the game by taking 3 wickets in the 16th over, but a 24-run final over by Shivam Dube guided India to a record 255 runs at the end of 20 overs.
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