India national cricket team all-rounder Axar Patel shared a heartfelt post on social media after the men in blue defeated the New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Patel said the moment was particularly special for him as his son watched him play from the stands for the first time. “Winning the World Cup is something you dream about as a kid. But today felt even more special knowing our little Haksh was in the stands, watching his dad play for the first time. This one will always stay close to my heart. A moment I’ll carry with me forever,” he wrote on social media.

The team became the first side to win three men’s T20 World Cup titles — after earlier victories in 2007 and 2024 — and the first host nation to lift the trophy. It was also the first time a team successfully defended the title in the tournament.

The final was shaped by India’s dominant batting display. After New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner opted to field, India produced a strong start through Abhishek Sharma, who scored 52 from 21 deliveries.

Sharma and Sanju Samson put together a rapid 98-run opening stand before Samson and Ishan Kishan continued the momentum with another big partnership that carried India beyond the 200-run mark.

Late hitting from Shivam Dube, who struck an unbeaten 26 off eight balls, pushed India to 255 for 5, the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final. James Neesham was the most successful bowler for New Zealand with three wickets.

In reply, New Zealand struggled to keep up with the required run rate despite a quick half-century from Tim Seifert. Patel and Jasprit Bumrah led the bowling effort that reduced New Zealand to 72 for 5 early in the chase.

Although Daryl Mitchell and Santner briefly steadied the innings, India continued to take wickets regularly and eventually bowled New Zealand out for 159 to seal a comfortable victory.