India national cricket team captain Suryakumar Yadav and all-rounder Hardik Pandya recreated an iconic Tricolour moment after the men in blue defeated the New Zealand national cricket team in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8, 2026. India clinched its historic third T20 World Cup title with a 96-run victory. Following the final wicket of Jacob Duffy, the Indian players rushed onto the field to celebrate. Yadav and Pandya shared a special moment as they draped the Indian tricolour around their shoulders and posed for photographs.
The image quickly went viral on social media as fans compared it with the iconic celebration by former India captains Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after India’s previous T20 World Cup triumph.
Another emotional moment followed when Yadav walked toward the pitch, picked up a handful of soil and placed it on his forehead as a tribute to the ground where he won his first major ICC title as India’s captain. The gesture drew comparisons to Rohit Sharma’s celebration during the 2024 T20 World Cup final, when he tasted the grass of the outfield after India defeated South Africa in Barbados.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were not part of India’s squad for the 2026 tournament after retiring from T20 internationals following the 2024 triumph. Rohit, however, attended the tournament as a brand ambassador.
India secured the title after posting a record 255 for 5 in 20 overs, powered by Sanju Samson, who scored 89 runs, while Abhishek Sharma made 52 and Ishan Kishan added 54. New Zealand’s chase faltered despite Tim Seifert scoring 52 and captain Mitchell Santner contributing 43.
India’s bowlers sealed the victory by dismissing New Zealand for 159 in 19 overs. Jasprit Bumrah led the attack with figures of 4 for 15, while Axar Patel took three wickets.
India’s victory also created multiple records. The team became the first side to win three men’s T20 World Cup titles and the first host nation to win the tournament, while also successfully defending its crown.
