India Clinches Third T20 World Cup Title with Record-Breaking Victory

Sports Desk, Rtv News

Publish : 09 Mar 2026, 09:37 AM

Photo: Collected

India has created history by becoming the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times, securing a dominant 96-run victory over New Zealand in the final.

With this win, Suryakumar Yadav’s side surpasses England and the West Indies, who both hold two titles, while Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia have each won the championship once.

Dominant Batting Display at Narendra Modi Stadium
After being invited to bat first by New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner, the Indian openers set the tone at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Following a cautious start in the first two overs, the openers unleashed an assault on the Kiwi bowlers, racing to 92 runs without loss in the powerplay.

Abhishek Sharma was the early aggressor, reaching his half-century in just 18 balls before falling for a 21-ball 51. Sanju Samson then took charge, anchoring the innings with a brilliant 89 off 46 balls, including five boundaries and eight maximums.

Despite missing out on a century, his knock—combined with Ishan Kishan’s fiery 54 off 25 balls—propelled India toward a massive total.

Late cameos from Shivam Dube, who remained unbeaten on 26 off just 8 balls, helped India set a daunting target of 257. James Neesham was the pick of the New Zealand bowlers, claiming three wickets.

New Zealand’s Run Chase Falters
Facing a record-breaking target of 256, New Zealand’s chase collapsed early under intense pressure.

The Kiwis lost three top-order wickets within the first six overs. Finn Allen (9), Rachin Ravindra (1), Glenn Phillips (5), and Mark Chapman (3) all fell cheaply as the required run rate climbed.

Opener Tim Seifert provided the only significant resistance, playing a lone hand with a blistering 52 off 26 balls, featuring two fours and five sixes.

Captain Mitchell Santner added a fighting 43 off 35 balls, but lack of support from the middle and lower order saw the Black Caps bundled out well short of the target.

A New Era of Dominance
This victory marks a landmark achievement for Indian cricket, solidifying their status as the most successful nation in the tournament's history.

The clinical performance in both departments ensures that India heads into the next international cycle as the undisputed kings of the shortest format.

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Shanto Targets Next Test, not WTC Final

Despite having a realistic chance of reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final, Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto refused to look that far as he focused on to keep up the good form in the next Test against Australia too. Bangladesh take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series following a nine-wicket victory in the first Test in Darwin today. They are now on the brink of a historic chance to sweep the series. However, the outcome of the first Test helped Bangladesh climb to fourth place in the WTC standings with a points percentage of 66.67. The win was Bangladesh's first Test victory on Australian soil and came after a 23-year wait for another Test in the country. Bangladesh bowled Australia out for 198 in the first innings before posting 426, with Tanzid Hasan Tamim scoring a century and Hasan Mahmud taking six wickets. Australia were dismissed for 284 in their second innings, leaving Bangladesh a target of 57, which they chased for the loss of one wicket. The victory lifted Bangladesh's points percentage from 58.33 to 66.67 and moved them into the top four of the WTC table. Shanto, however, said the team would not get carried away by the possibility of qualifying for the final. "If you look at the points table, there is definitely a chance. However, as a captain, I always say one thing in the dressing room: don't think too far ahead," Shanto said at the post-match press conference. "How can we play this series or this Test well, that is important. It was a very big win, the best win in the country's history. However, we are still not an average world team. The Test team is slowly moving towards a good place. There is an opportunity, and we have to use this opportunity." Bangladesh will now turn their attention to the second and final Test against Australia, beginning on August 22 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Australia remain top of the WTC standings with 77.78 percentage points from nine Tests, followed by South Africa on 75 and New Zealand on 72.22. India are fifth on 48.15, behind Bangladesh. Sri Lanka, England, Pakistan and West Indies occupy the next four positions.

History Beckons in Darwin: Bangladesh Dreams of Victory

Bangladesh is within striking distance of a historic victory in the Darwin Test. At the end of the third day, after securing a massive 228-run first-innings lead, the Tigers have reduced Australia to 161 for 4 in their second innings, leaving the hosts trailing Bangladesh by 67 runs. Dominating the match from the outset, Bangladesh first bowled Australia out for 198. In response, the Tigers posted 426 runs, powered by strong batting performances from Shanto, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, and Tanzid Hasan, thereby establishing a commanding first-innings lead. Bangladesh’s bowlers continued to put pressure on Australia in the second innings. After taking 6 wickets in the first innings, Hasan Mahmud claimed 2 more scalps, dismissing Jack Weatherald and Travis Head. Miraz and Taijul Islam picked up one wicket each. Cameron Green and Alex Carey are currently fighting it out for Australia, remaining unbeaten on 43 and 19 runs respectively at stumps. Earlier, Steve Smith was dismissed for 44 following a brilliant catch by Miraz. On the fourth day, Australia’s primary objective will be to erase Bangladesh's lead, while the Tigers will aim to quickly pick up the hosts' remaining six wickets and march towards victory. All in all, the fourth day in Darwin holds a strong prospect of becoming a memorable milestone in Bangladesh's cricket history.

Miraz Hits Fifty, Bangladesh's Lead Crosses 200

Bangladesh is in firm control of the Test match against Australia at the Marrara Oval in Darwin, powered by a half-century from Mehidy Hasan Miraz and a boundary from Taskin Ahmed that pushed Bangladesh's score past 400, while the team's lead also surpassed 200 runs. Playing the fifth ball of the 126th over towards vacant mid-on for a quick couple, Miraz brought up his 12th Test half-century. Starting the day on 32, the all-rounder reached his fifty off 117 deliveries, striking 4 boundaries. He became the third Bangladeshi batter to cross the fifty-run mark in the ongoing innings on Australian soil. His teammates applauded him from the dressing room to celebrate the milestone. Miraz has emerged as one of the architects of Bangladesh's dominance at the Marrara Oval. Earlier, he had played an innings of 109 runs in the warm-up match against the Cricket Australia XI. In contrast to that match—where Bangladesh was bundled out for just 54 runs in the second innings—the team is displaying a completely different scenario against a strong Australian side. On the first delivery of the 129th over, Taskin Ahmed edged a bouncer from Pat Cummins to find a boundary. That stroke pushed Bangladesh's total past 400 and extended the lead beyond 200 runs. Off the very next delivery, Steven Smith dropped Taskin in the same area. Had he taken the catch, the Australian star fielder could have claimed the record for the most catches in Test cricket entirely for himself. Earlier, Bangladesh started the day at 351 for 6. Hasan Mahmud and Taijul Islam returned to the pavilion within the first hour of the day's play. Subsequently, resilient batting partnerships by Miraz and Taskin helped Bangladesh recover and further solidify their position against Australia.