Writers India’s See the order scanned away a record limit to reject New Zealand 255/5 ‘in the last of ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2026 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday.
The mammoth total is now not only the highest T20 score ever made in Ahmedabad, it is also the highest-ever score at a T20 World Cup final and becomes the third-highest team total in T20 World Cup history.
At one point of time, it seemed India is heading towards a total in excess of 300 after their top order provided a rollicking start. But an explosive three-wicket turn from all-rounder Jimmy Neesham in the 16th over partially stemmed the charge.
Neesham claimed three wickets in the over, derailing India’s momentum at just the point when the innings was ready for an even larger total.
India took control way later in the death overs with a late surge from Shivam Dube that still gave the defending champions a gargantuan total to chase down for New Zealand, who now have 256 runs ahead of them.
India powered by Samson, Sharma and Kishan
The foundation of India’s innings was an incredible knock from captain Sanju Samson, who belted 89 off only 46 deliveries. The innings is part of a stellar run in the tournament for Samson, his third successive score over 80.
Samson has hit 24 sixes, the most by any batsman in a single T20 World Cup and he’s played only half of it! New Zealand opener Finn Allen is in the next closest with 20 sixes scored through the tournament so far.
And up top, Abhishek Sharma gave a blistering start, as he scored 52 in only 21 balls. His half-century is the fastest in this World Cup and the fastest ever in a World Cup knockout match.
The dominance at the top of India’s order continued when Ishan Kishan smashed 54 off 25 balls, ensuring that all three of its top batters made it to half-century — the first time a team’s one through three have all reached fifty in a World Cup knockout match.
Six-hitting record
The innings also created another record for India. In doing so, the team became the first side in any ICC limited-overs tournament to hit 100 sixes with their total now at 106 sixes in the competition.
The previous record was the South Africa national cricket team’s 99 sixes in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
Set 256 to win, New Zealand must now mount the highest successful chase in a T20 World Cup final if they are to deny India a historic title defence.