Ahmedabad gives back what it took! India stand alone as three-time T20 World Champs, beat New Zealand by 96 runs in final

"[Has it sunk in?] I think it'll take a little bit of time but definitely very happy. Been a long journey. Started post the 2024 World Cup. Jay Shah, Rohit bhai, they all showed faith in me and gave me opportunity to lead. From there it's been a long journey and coming here and winning it.

"We have been playing good cricket in the last two years and we just wanted to follow the good cricketing habits that we had in the 2024 World Cup. Boys took it really well. [On keeping faith in players] I think it's really important to understand what they are capable of. And I knew they had the match winners in them.

"The timing was perfect. Sanju Samson, Abhishek Sharma they are top players and we knew they would do something special, and they did it in the final. Bumrah is a once-in a generation bowler. I can call him a national treasure. He knows how it needs to be done, he is the best in the business."

"Proud of the boys to make it this far. Obviously we had some challenges throughout but at each stage we put up a good fight. Today we got outplayed by a great team in front of a great crowd. To see a big sea of blue, obviously India were home favourites. Playing a home World Cup comes with a lot of pressure. But yeah SKY and the boys should be very very proud. Different guys stood up at different stages. In the Super Eight and semi-finals we put up a good fight but tonight we were obviously outplayed."

The New Zealand players line up to receive their runners-up medals, greeted by huge cheers from the crowd.

Finn Allen, Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Santner among players who receive warm round of applause.

The sky over Ahmedabad is ablaze as a drone show paints the Indian flag, followed by an image of the T20 World Cup trophy. The captains will address the crowd shortly, leading into the trophy presentation.

"Feels like a dream. Very happy and grateful. Out of words, out of emotions. [On his three fifties, thought process] To be honest, it started one-two years before. When I was in the 2024 World Cup team where I didn't play, I kept visualising, kept on working and this was exactly what I wanted to do. After the NZ series I was broken, my dreams were completely shattered. And I was thinking what can I do.

"But God had different plans. And I was rewarded for being brave enough to dream. A lot of former players have reached out to me and tried to help me out. For the last couple of months, I have been in constant contact with Sachin sir. I reached out to him and had big big conversations with him. Getting a guidance from someone like him, what more can you ask for? I am very grateful for everyone who supported me. [What more does he want to achieve?] This itself is very big for me, I want to enjoy it right now and then after a few day will figure out what more to do."

Bumrah bags the Player of the Match in the final! He finished with figures of 4 wickets for 15 runs in his 4-over spell ina T20 World Cup final. And for that reason, he bags the Player of the Match award.

Jasprit Bumrah produces another slower ball masterpiece to dismiss Mitchell Santner. Santner, unable to read the dip, sees the ball crash into the stumps.

Hardik Pandya celebrates with a big hug as Bumrah beams, having now taken four wickets in the innings, all with his trademark slower deliveries.

Mitchell Santner b Jasprit Bumrah 43 (35, 3x4, 2x6)

India need 113 runs from 24 balls. They are 143/8 after 16 overs. Mitchell Santner- 37* off 28. Lockie Ferguson- 1* off 1.

Jasprit Bumrah deceives James Neesham with a clever slower ball. A full toss that dips late sees Neesham swing over the top, only for the ball to crash into the base of middle and leg stumps.

James Neesham b Jasprit Bumrah 8 (7, 1x4), completely bamboozled and another big breakthrough for India.

New Zealand- 134/6 after 14 overs. Mitchell Santner- 34* off 22, James Neesham- 6* off 3. Need 122 runs from 36 balls.

Axar Patel delivers a full toss to Daryl Mitchell but he hits it straight to the fielder in the deep. Ishan Kishan takes a clean catch, completing another breakthrough for India. Daryl Mitchell c Kishan b Patel 17 (11). Axar continues his golden touch with the ball. NZ- 124/6 in 12.5 overs.

Santner is such a good striker down the ground and he shows that again. Back-to-back SIXES against Varun.

Daryl Mitchell punishes a delivery right in the slot from Arshdeep Singh. The ball goes over midwicket for a maximum.

We have reached the halfway point of the chase, and the dream of a maiden T20 World Cup for New Zealand is fading fast into the Ahmedabad night. Chasing a record 256, the Black Caps are 88/5 in 10.0 overs.

The required run rate has now ballooned to a near-impossible 16.80.

Update: Varun Chakaravarthy Strikes the Big One

Just when Tim Seifert (52 off 26) looked like he might pull off a miraculous heist, among the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, Varun Chakaravarthy, slammed the door shut.

TSeifert brought up a defiant half-century in just 23 balls, launching Varun for two massive sixes earlier in the spell.

In the 9th over, Varun tossed one up, tempting Seifert into one more big hit. He mistimed the pull, and Ishan Kishan sprinted from the boundary to take a high-pressure, spectacular catch.

Hardik Pandya- Redemption with the Ball

After being taken for 21 runs in his first over, Hardik Pandya has roared back.

In the 8th over, Hardik bowled a cross-seam length ball that Mark Chapman (3) dragged onto his stumps.

His second and third overs combined have been economical, completely stifling the Kiwi middle order.

The 'Mitchell' Stand

It’s now down to the namesake duo: Mitchell Santner (11)* and Daryl Mitchell (2)*.

The 10th Over: Varun finished the 10th over with 4 dot balls, conceding just 5 runs. The pitch is starting to offer significant turn or so it seems and with the pressure of the scoreboard, the Kiwis are struggling to even rotate the strike.

Scorecard Summary (10.0 Overs)

New Zealand: 88/5 (Required: 168 from 60 balls)

Mitchell Santner: 11* (10 balls)

Daryl Mitchell: 2* (2 balls)

Wickets: Allen (9), Ravindra (1), Phillips (5), Chapman (3), Seifert (52).