Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Mar 8: A blistering partnership between Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan powered India national cricket team to a commanding position against New Zealand national cricket team in the final of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Following a record-breaking power-play score of 92/0, India’s momentum only intensified as Samson and Kishan launched an aggressive assault on the New Zealand bowling attack. The duo punished anything short or wide, sending the ball repeatedly to the boundary and racing past 200 runs in just 15 overs.
Samson led the charge with a series of towering sixes off bowlers like Rachin Ravindra and Mitchell Santner. During the knock, he surpassed Finn Allen’s previous mark to become the highest six-hitter in a single T20 World Cup edition, smashing 21 sixes.
Kishan matched the intensity at the other end, reaching his half-century in just 24 balls with a display of explosive stroke play, including a towering six over mid-wicket.
Reacting to the batting masterclass, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar praised the pair in a post on X (formerly Twitter), writing:
“Sanju is batting very smartly, knowing whom to attack and whom to defend against. Ishan Kishan has shown superb bat speed and played some unbelievable shots. 275 looks very much possible, it will be a fantastic score!”
By the end of the 15th over, India had surged to 203/1, with Samson on 89 off 45 balls and Kishan unbeaten on 54 off 24 deliveries, leaving the New Zealand bowlers under intense pressure as the crowd erupted with every boundary.
However, the momentum briefly shifted in the 16th over. Samson was dismissed on the first ball after attempting another big shot, caught by substitute fielder Cole McConchie off the bowling of James Neesham for 89 (46).
Neesham then struck twice more in the same over, removing Kishan and Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav off the last two deliveries, leaving India at 204/4 within six balls after the explosive partnership had threatened a record-breaking total.