New Zealand’s World Cup Final Curse Continues as India Dominate

New Zealand’s painful World Cup final record worsened on Tuesday as India steamrolled them by 96 runs to lift the T20 World Cup trophy for a historic second consecutive time. The Black Caps have now lost four global finals since 2015, and this defeat was arguably the most one-sided of them all. For India, the night was pure celebration from start to finish.
India’s innings was built on an astonishing powerplay, during which they raced to 92 without loss in just six overs, equalling the highest such score in World Cup history. Abhishek Sharma’s 18-ball fifty was breathtaking, and when Sanju Samson joined the carnage the total climbed relentlessly. The New Zealand bowlers, including Lockie Ferguson and Matt Henry, went for 24 and 21 runs respectively in their opening overs, setting the tone for a dismal evening.
India’s final total of 255 represented their third score above 250 in this tournament alone, a remarkable demonstration of batting depth and aggression. Sanju Samson fell for 89, agonisingly short of a century, and Ishan Kishan was dismissed for 54. Even amid late-innings wickets, Shivam Dube chipped in with 26 off just eight balls to give the total extra ballast.
New Zealand’s reply was a dispirited one, losing wickets regularly and never suggesting they could mount a realistic challenge. Bumrah was simply too good, picking up three wickets with deliveries that moved late and dipped unexpectedly under the batters’ swings. His man-of-the-match performance was a masterclass in fast bowling discipline.
India’s triumph was particularly special because it was achieved at home, in their own conditions, in front of their own people. No men’s team had ever defended this title, and India have now done what seemed impossible. Cricket’s reigning kings bowed only to their adoring fans.