Team India beat New Zealand by 96 runs in the T20 World Cup 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8. With the win, the Men in Blue created multiple records. They became the first side to defend the title and also the first host nation to win the T20 World Cup. With their third title triumph, India also became the most successful team in the history of the tournament.

Sent into bat, Team India put up 255-5 on the board as Sanju Samson top-scored with 89 off 46, while Abhishek Sharma (52 off 21) and Ishan Kishan (54 off 24) hit blazing fifties. In the chase, the Black Caps were bowled out for 159 in 19 overs as Jasprit Bumrah claimed 4-15 and Axar Patel 3-27.

There were a number of exciting matches played during the T20 World Cup 2026. Following the conclusion of the ICC event, we pick the five best matches from the tournament played in India and Sri Lanka.

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#5 Netherlands vs Pakistan – Match 1 in Colombo (SSC)

The Netherlands gave Pakistan a mighty scare in the very first match of the T20 World Cup 2026, which was played at Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. Bowling first, Pakistan held the Dutch side to 147. In the chase, Pakistan sneaked home by three wickets in 19.3 overs.

Pakistan had crumbled to 114-7 after 16.1 overs as Shadab Khan (8) perished to Logan van Beek. Heading into the last two overs, Pakistan needed 29 runs. However, Faheem Ashraf hammered Van Beek for three sixes and a four in an over which went for 24. The result might have been different had Max O’Dowd held on to a catch offered by Ashraf off the second ball of the over.

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#4 Zimbabwe vs Australia – Match 19 in Colombo (RPS)

Zimbabwe registered a clinical 23-run win over a hapless Australian side at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo in match number 19 of the T20 World Cup 2026. Sent into bat, Zimbabwe put up a competitive total of 169-2 in their 20 overs. In the chase, Australia bowled out for 146 in 19.3 overs.

Brian Bennett top-scored for Zimbabwe with 64 off 56, while Tadiwanashe Marumani hit 35 off 21. In the chase, Australia crumbled to 29-4 and, despite Matt Renshaw’s fighting 65 off 44 balls, fell well short of the target. Blessing Muzarabani stood out for Zimbabwe, with 4-17, while Brad Evans picked up 3-23 as Sikandar Raza and co. registered a famous T20 World Cup triumph.

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#3 England vs New Zealand – Match 49 in Colombo (RPS)

England registered a stunning come-from-behind victory at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo in a Group 2 Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2026. Batting first in the game, the Black Caps were held to 159-7. In the chase, England stumbled to 117-6 after 16.5 overs, but got home with three balls to spare.

With 43 needed off 18 balls, Mitchell Santner gave the ball to Glenn Phillips. The off-spinner conceded 22 runs in the 18th over as Rehan Ahmed and Will Jacks combined to hit him for two sixes and two fours. Santner, himself, conceded 16 runs in the penultimate over. With five needed off the last over, England got over the line when Jacks hammered the third ball from Matt Henry for a four.

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#2 South Africa vs Afghanistan – Match 13 in Ahmedabad

South Africa and Afghanistan were involved in an absolute nail-biter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in a group clash of the T20 World Cup 2026. After the game ended in a tie, it needed two Super Overs to decide the winner. The Proteas eventually prevailed in a thriller for the ages.

Batting first, South Africa put up 187-6 on the board as Ryan Rickelton smashed 61 off 28. In the chase, Afghanistan were bowled out for 187 as opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz slammed 84 off 42. Afghanistan made 17 in the first Super Over and South Africa matched it as Tristan Stubbs clobbered Fazalhaq Farooqi for a last-ball six.

In the second Super Over, South Africa hit 23 as David Miller struck consecutive sixes off Azmatullah Omarzai. In the chase, Afghanistan were held to 19 despite a hat-trick of sixes from Gurbaz off Keshav Maharaj’s bowling.

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#1 India vs England – Semifinal 2 in Mumbai

India and England were involved in a terrific T20 World Cup 2026 semifinal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Batting first after losing the toss in the knockout clash, the Men in Blue posted 253-7 as Sanju Samson top-scored with 89 off 42 balls. In the chase, England were held to 246-7 despite a stunning hundred from Jacob Bethell (105 off 48).

After 13 overs, England were very much in the hunt at 160-4. However, in the next over, a superb piece of fielding from Axar Patel sent back Jacks (35 off 20). Jasprit Bumrah then stalled the chase, conceding only eight runs in the 16th over and six runs in the 18th. Jofra Archer swung Shivam Dube for three sixes in the last over, but Team India progressed to the T20 World Cup 2026 final with a slender win.