Even a golden duck for India’s captain could not derail their march to T20 World Cup glory. Suryakumar Yadav, attempting an extravagant reverse scoop off Jimmy Neesham’s short, wide delivery, succeeded only in lobbing the ball to Rachin Ravindra at deep backward square leg, who took a superb diving catch. It was Yadav’s first ball faced in the match, and he left without contributing a run. It didn’t matter. India had 255 runs on the board and went on to win by 96. History was made regardless.
The batting heroes who gave India their commanding total were Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan. Sharma’s 50 off 18 balls set the powerplay alight, and India reached 92 without loss in six overs — a record-equalling feat. Samson’s 89 off 46 provided the backbone of the innings, and Kishan’s 54 off 25 ensured the total climbed to a level New Zealand could not realistically approach.
New Zealand’s bowlers were repeatedly punished. Ferguson, Henry, and Duffy all went for double figures in their opening spells. Jimmy Neesham’s bizarre over of one run and three wickets — including Yadav’s golden duck — brought a moment of New Zealand hope, but it arrived too late and with too little. Shivam Dube’s 26 off eight at the death pushed the final total to 255.
Bumrah’s three-wicket man-of-the-match performance closed out the victory in style, as New Zealand were dismissed for 159. The fourth World Cup final loss for New Zealand since 2015 confirmed a difficult pattern. India have shown what it looks like when a team peaks at the right moment, every single time.
India are champions. Again. Gloriously, historically, magnificently champions.