New Delhi, March 8 Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the Indian cricket team on Sunday for winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, praising the players for their outstanding performance and determination throughout the tournament.
In a post on X, HM Shah described the victory as a proud moment for the nation and applauded the team for displaying remarkable grit and character on the global stage.
"What a victory…!! Congratulations to the World Champion #TeamIndia. Your exceptional performance throughout the tournament and your strong display of determination have brought glory and pride to the nation. Congratulations to the entire team for making every Indian proud," HM Shah wrote.
The Union Home Minister was also present at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during the final.
His post on X added to the chorus of congratulatory wishes pouring in from leaders across the country following India's emphatic triumph on the world stage.
Team India openers Sanju Samson (89), Abhishek Sharma (52) and No. 3 Ishan Kishan (54) set the stage for a huge total.
Sanju Samson carried his rich form from the previous games and went on to hit his third consecutive half-century.
Sanju Samson's blistering 89 off 46 balls, featuring five fours and eight sixes, led India to post a massive 255/5 – the second-highest total of the tournament and the highest posted by any team in the World Cup – before their bowlers dismantled New Zealand inside the powerplay to seal a comprehensive victory, as the visitors were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs.
Samson, in top form, having scored 97 not out and 89 in his previous innings, shared an opening stand of 98 with Abhishek Sharma, who saved his best for the title clash by scoring 52 off 21 balls, while Ishan Kishan scored 54 off 25 balls to extend the onslaught.
James Neesham briefly checked India's momentum with three wickets in a single over before Shivam Dube plundered an unbeaten 26 off eight balls to take India past 250.
Local players Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel then wrecked New Zealand's top order, reducing the challengers to 52/3 and extinguishing any realistic hope of a record chase, as India lived up to their pre-tournament hype and made history.
