India Make It Two in a Row: World Cup Trophy Stays in Blue Hands

Back-to-back T20 World Cup champions. India made history on Sunday by becoming the first men’s team to defend the tournament title, thrashing New Zealand by 96 runs in a final that displayed every quality that has made this Indian side so formidable in recent years. The trophy stays in blue hands, and by the look of this performance, it could be staying there for some time.
India’s batters put on a show. Sharma ignited proceedings with an 18-ball fifty, Samson provided the muscle with 89 off 46, and Kishan brought relentless acceleration with 54 off 25. Three bowlers — Duffy, Ferguson, Henry — went for over 20 runs each in the powerplay alone, and India stood at 92 for no loss after six overs, equalling the competition record for the highest powerplay score.
At 191 for one in the 14th over, India were threatening to overturn the record books entirely. But four wickets in five overs, including an oddly productive Neesham over that brought one run and three wickets, halted the charge. Dube’s late hitting pushed the total to 255, a score that was always likely to be beyond New Zealand’s reach.
New Zealand’s chase was over in the third over. Allen fell cheaply, and the top order failed to provide any platform. Seifert fought hard for his fifty and received credit for the effort, but Bumrah made sure it amounted to nothing, taking three wickets with deliveries that were almost unplayable. India’s bowlers combined to dismiss New Zealand for 159.
The margin of victory was 96 runs. The margin of history was even greater. India are champions of the world for the second consecutive time, a feat no men’s T20 team has achieved before. New Zealand will regroup and return — but this night belonged entirely to India.