New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner admitted that India were the better side after the T20 World Cup 2026 final. His team suffered a heavy defeat in the title clash.
India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match saw India deliver a dominant performance in front of a massive home crowd.
Speaking after the game, Mitchell Santner said he was proud of his team for reaching the final despite facing several challenges during the tournament.
“We are proud to reach the final. We had some challenges during the tournament but the team kept fighting. Today we were outplayed by a great side in front of a huge crowd,” Santner said.
The New Zealand captain also praised the Indian Cricket Team for handling the pressure of playing a World Cup at home. He said performing in front of home fans brings extra expectations.
According to Santner, India managed the pressure very well throughout the tournament. He added that different players stepped up at crucial moments.
“Playing a World Cup at home brings pressure. But SKY and the Indian team handled it well. Different players stepped up at different moments during the tournament,” he added.
Earlier in the match, New Zealand won the toss and chose to bowl first. However, India’s batters started aggressively and dominated the powerplay.
The Indian Cricket Team posted a massive total of 255 for 5. The score placed New Zealand under immediate pressure during the chase.
India eventually secured victory by 96 runs and successfully defended the T20 World Cup title. The win marked another major achievement for the team.
Mitchell Santner also acknowledged the impact of the huge crowd support for India during the final. India’s powerful batting and disciplined bowling proved decisive in the match.
In the end, the Men in Blue delivered a complete performance to lift their third T20 World Cup trophy in impressive fashion.
