Mention of India’s T20 World Cup final performance against New Zealand will inevitably focus on their 255-run first innings — and rightly so. But the bowling effort that restricted New Zealand to 159 was equally important to the 96-run margin of victory. In a match where India confirmed their status as the first men’s team to retain the world title, the balance between bat and ball was what made the performance truly complete.
The batting told the world what India can do at their best. Abhishek Sharma’s 50 off 18 balls, a record-equalling powerplay of 92 for no loss, Sanju Samson’s 89 off 46, Ishan Kishan’s 54 off 25 — these performances were individual brilliance in service of a collective total. Three scores above 250 in one tournament is remarkable. The final, however, was the pinnacle.
The bowling was led by Bumrah, whose three wickets with slow yorkers earned him the man-of-the-match award and cemented his reputation as the world’s foremost fast bowler. His accuracy, variation, and composure under the pressure of a World Cup final were those of an exceptional performer. New Zealand’s batters had no answer to his deliveries.
The supporting bowling cast kept New Zealand’s innings from gaining any momentum, and even two dropped catches from Dube and Pandya couldn’t extend the match significantly. New Zealand ended on 159, their four World Cup final losses since 2015 now including this most one-sided defeat.
India are champions of the world, again. Their batting is historic. Their bowling is world-class. Their place in T20 cricket history is secure.
