Ahmedabad, March 8 India put on a spectacular batting display, overwhelming New Zealand by 96 runs in the final match and defending the T20 World Cup title after posting a record score here on Sunday.
Led by a blazing 89 from Sanju Samson and explosive half-centuries from Abhishek Sharma (52) and Ishan Kishan (54), India's top order went on a six-hitting spree, leaving the New Zealand bowlers stunned in the final match, posting a massive 255 for five.
This was the highest score ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final, capping a dominant performance by the defending champions on the biggest stage of the tournament. India also became the first team to win the tournament.
The pressure on the New Zealand team got to them as they desperately tried to attack the Indian bowlers and ultimately lost three quick wickets early on.
Their key players, Finn Allen (9) and Glenn Phillips (5), were dismissed early, and with that, New Zealand's chances of putting up a decent fight were dashed.
Axar Patel (3/27) and Jasprit Bumrah (4/15) had dominated the Kiwi innings, and with the dismissal of Tim Seifert (52 off 26), the match became a formality.
Invited to bat, Samson and Abhishek went on the offensive, attacking the Kiwi attack with audacious strokes.
The pair smashed boundaries at will, setting up a breathtaking 98-run opening stand in just 7.1 overs, setting the tone for a massive total.
With authority and minimal respect for the Kiwi bowlers, India crossed the 200-run mark in 15 overs.
However, New Zealand managed to slow down the scoring by dismissing Samson, Kishan, and captain Suryakumar Yadav (0) in quick succession. Pacer James Neesham took all three wickets in the 16th over, narrowly preventing the match from slipping away.
Hardik Pandya (18) couldn't last long, but Shivam Dube (26 not out) provided a brilliant finish, scoring 24 runs in the final over from Neesham.
India managed 52 runs in the last five overs, thanks to Dube's fiery knock.
Brief Scores:
India: 255 for 5 in 20 overs (Sanju Samson 89, Ishan Kishan 54, Abhishek Sharma 52; James Neesham 3/46).
New Zealand: 159 all out in 19 overs (Tim Seifert 52, Jasprit Bumrah 4/15, Axar Patel 3/23).
