Though santner

T20 World Cup: Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma, and Ishan Kishan struck explosive half-centuries each as defending champions India posted a massive 255/5 against New Zealand in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

On a flat mixed soil pitch, India posted a total that is the highest at the venue and the third-highest in Men’s T20 World Cup history. It was built on an explosive platform laid by their top three, all of whom attacked from the outset with strike rates that underlined their dominance. Samson, who made 89 off 46 balls, finished on a strike rate of 193.47, while Abhishek, who finally came good by hitting 54 off 25 balls, struck at 247.61, and Kishan, who slammed a 25-ball 54, hit at a strike rate of 216.

At several stages, a total of 280 or beyond appeared well within India's reach, only for New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham toapply the brakes via 3-46. Shivam Dube ultimately ensured India finished strongly, plundering 24 runs off the final over to push the total past 250. Dube's late assault of 26 off just eight balls came at a strike rate of 325.