Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The ghosts of the past were finally laid to rest at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad as India delivered a masterclass against New Zealand to retain their ICC T20 World Cup title with a 96-run win on March 8. In a poetic reversal of fortune at the very venue that once hosted their most bitter defeats in 2023, the Men in Blue stood tall, transforming the world’s largest cricket arena into a cauldron of pure jubilation.
India were the favourites to lift the title as they entered the tournament in scintillating form that has seen them win 48 of their last 56 T20I games dating back to October 2023. And producing a dominant series win against New Zealand ahead of the marquee event, they lived up to the tag. The Men in Blue had a strong and steady campaign leading to the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, achieving seven wins in eight matches. Their journey started with a 29-run win against the United States national cricket team at the Wankhede Stadium on February 7.
They then dominated the Namibia with a convincing 93-run victory in Delhi on February 12. One of their most important wins in the group stage came when they defeated their arch-rivals, the Pakistan, by 61 runs in Colombo on February 15.The team continued to build momentum with a 17-run win over the Netherlands in Ahmedabad on February 18.
With this victory, India has rewritten the record books. Take a look at the milestones the Men in Blue conquered in their title defence.
