India rode on a spectacular batting display from wicket-keeper batter Sanju Samson to eventually lift the T20 World Cup 2026 after beating New Zealand in Ahmedabad. The right-handed batter struck three quick-fire half-centuries in tricky situations. Sanju first got 97* against West Indies in a virtual quarter-final, 89 against West Indies in semi-final and 89 again in the final against New Zealand.
Now, spinner Varun Chakaravarthy has shared how Sanju who had just played two matches initially returned back into the Playing XI. “There’s a meme that’s gotten popular. It says, “If there’s a Mallu involved in a World Cup, we never lose.’ It’s true. The masterstroke was getting him back into the XI,” Chakaravarthy said, as quoted by the Indian Express.
The spinner also linked that confidence to the strength of India’s cricket system. “It just shows the amount of talent we are producing, and credit to BCCI’s domestic structure. And Syed Mushtaq Ali,” Varun Chakaravarthy said.
India Lift Third T20 World Cup
India created history after the side lifted their third T20 World Cup– most by any team. India also became the first team to defend the T20 title. The side had won it in 2024 under Rohit Sharma while clinched a win in 2026 under Suryakumar Yadav. This was also India’s third ICC trophy on the trot. India had won Champions Trophy last year.
Batting first, India posted 255/5 in 20 overs. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma provided a brisk start as the two posted 98 for the first wicket. Abhishek smashed a brisk 52 off 21. Ishan Kishan who came in at number three also chipped in with important runs as he struck 54 off 25.
India then lost some wickets quickly but Shivam Dube’s late surge helped India post a big total. Dube hit 26* off 8.
Later, the Indian bowlers didn’t let the New Zealand batters take the upper hand and bundled out the opposition for 159. Jasprit Bumrah scalped a four-wicket haul for just 15 runs while Axar Patel picked up three wickets for 27 runs. India won by 96 runs.
“Very, very happy, very grateful. Out of words, out of emotions. I’m just going through it, so feels a bit surreal. To be very honest, this started one to two years before. When I was with the 2024 World Cup-winning team in West Indies, I couldn’t play a game. I kept on visualizing. I kept on dreaming. I kept on working. This is exactly what I wanted to do then,” Sanju said after the win.
