India won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, hammering New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday 8 March 2026. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka across 55 matches and eight venues, the tournament ran from 7 February to 8 March 2026 and culminated in India becoming the first country ever to win the title on home soil and to defend the T20 World Cup.
What was the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026?
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is cricket’s premier international Twenty20 tournament, organised by the International Cricket Council and held every two years. The 2026 edition was the tenth in the competition’s history, which began in 2007. Twenty teams competed across two first-round groups of five, with the top eight progressing to a Super Eight phase and then knockout semi-finals and final. The tournament was co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the latter included after Pakistan declined to tour India.
When did it take place?
The tournament ran from Saturday 7 February 2026, with the opening fixture in Colombo, to Sunday 8 March 2026, when India lifted the trophy in Ahmedabad. In between, 55 matches were played across 30 days, with the Super Eight stage starting in late February and the semi-finals on 4 and 5 March.
Where was it held?
Matches were played across eight venues: five in India and three in Sri Lanka. The Indian venues were the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad (host of the final), M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, Eden Gardens in Kolkata and Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The Sri Lankan venues were R. Premadasa Stadium and Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, both in Colombo, and Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.
Results
India 255 for 5 (Sanju Samson 89, Abhishek Sharma fifty, Ishan Kishan fifty) beat New Zealand 159 all out (Jasprit Bumrah 4 for 15, Axar Patel 3 for 27) by 96 runs in the final. India’s 255 was the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final, with Samson’s 89 the highest individual score in a final. The margin of 96 runs was also a record for a T20 World Cup final. New Zealand, who had been excellent throughout the tournament, had no answer to a ferocious Indian bowling attack led by Bumrah. Both semi-finals had been one-sided: India beat South Africa by eight wickets, while New Zealand dispatched England by 46 runs.
Background and form going in
India arrived as defending champions and hot favourites on home soil. Rohit Sharma’s side had remained unbeaten throughout the Super Eight stage, with Abhishek Sharma in particularly brutal form at the top of the order. New Zealand, guided by Kane Williamson in what was expected to be his final T20 World Cup campaign, had also progressed through the tournament without dropping a match, including a dramatic Super Over win against Australia in the Super Eight. England, South Africa and Australia were among the other pre-tournament favourites to fall short.
History and Records
India became the first team to win three Men’s T20 World Cup titles, adding to their triumphs in 2007 and 2024. It was also the first time any team had successfully defended the trophy, and the first time a host country had won the event on home soil. The tournament featured a record-breaking 55 matches and saw several individual records tumble, including the highest team total in any T20 World Cup match. West Indies remain joint second in the all-time winners list with two titles each, alongside England and Pakistan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the 2026 T20 World Cup?
India, who beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the final in Ahmedabad on 8 March 2026.
Where was the 2026 T20 World Cup held?
India and Sri Lanka co-hosted the tournament across eight venues.
When did the tournament take place?
From 7 February to 8 March 2026.
Who was player of the tournament?
Indian opener Abhishek Sharma was named Player of the Tournament after leading the run charts with a string of match-winning innings.