New Delhi

The Lok Sabha on Monday congratulated the India national cricket team for winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 after defeating New Zealand national cricket team in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Speaker Jagdambika Pal praised the team’s achievement and said the victory has inspired young people across India to pursue excellence in sports.

“By defeating New Zealand in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at Ahmedabad, the Indian cricket team became champions for the third time. The victory has created an atmosphere of enthusiasm and happiness across the country and inspired the youth of India to dream big,” Pal said during the House proceedings.

India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs to successfully defend their title. With the win, India became the first team to claim the T20 World Cup on home soil, the first to win back-to-back titles after their 2024 triumph, and the first team to lift the trophy three times (2007, 2024 and 2026).

In the final, New Zealand won the toss and opted to field. A quickfire half-century from Abhishek Sharma (52 off 21 balls) and his 98-run partnership with Sanju Samson gave India a strong start.

Samson later shared a century stand with Ishan Kishan, who scored 54 off 25 balls, helping India cross the 200-run mark in the 16th over. A late cameo from Shivam Dube (26 not out off eight balls) pushed India to 255/5, the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final.

For New Zealand, James Neesham was the most successful bowler with figures of 3/46.

Chasing 256, New Zealand struggled early as Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah reduced them to 72/5, despite a half-century by Tim Seifert (52 off 26 balls).

READ MORE: Shama Mohammad: Battling patriarchy and breaking barriers

A brief partnership between Daryl Mitchell and captain Mitchell Santner provided some resistance, but India continued taking wickets regularly and bowled out New Zealand for 159 runs to seal a comprehensive victory.