Ahmedabad, March 8: Team India put on a brilliant batting performance in the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup final against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in attendance alongside his wife, son Jay Shah (who is also the chairman of the International Cricket Council), daughter-in-law, and grandson.
The hosts reached 92/0 in the powerplay, the highest ever in a T20 World Cup, thanks to an incredible performance by Abhishek Sharma. The left-handed batsman scored 51 off just 19 balls, the fastest fifty in this edition, before being dismissed in the seventh over, as a mistimed shot from Tim Seifert found the wicket.
Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson then took over. Kishan came to the crease and quickly hit boundaries, including multiple sixes off Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry, while Samson brought up his third consecutive fifty in T20 World Cups with precise timing and aggressive placement. By the 13th over, India had reached 171/1, with Samson unbeaten on 69(39) and Kishan at 42 not out off 18 balls, putting pressure on New Zealand's bowlers.
The Indian duo punished anything short or wide, with Ferguson and Henry leaking runs in consecutive overs, including a staggering 24-run over by Ferguson. New Zealand's attempts to restrict the scoring with spin and pace were largely unsuccessful, as the home side maintained their momentum with elegant yet aggressive strokeplay.
Amit Shah and his family were seen applauding every boundary and cheering on the crowd as the innings progressed.
India's record-breaking powerplay, coupled with the destructive partnerships in the middle overs, set the stage for a massive total, showcasing the hosts' dominance in front of a packed Ahmedabad crowd and a distinguished VIP gallery.
