The defending champions, India, have dominated the powerplay of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Finals against New Zealand by scoring 67 runs in the first six overs. Abhishek Sharma, who was out of form before this game, smashed 51 runs off 19 balls, and in-form Sanju Samson smashed 33 runs off 17 balls. Notably, India hasn't lost a single wicket in the powerplay and is now eyeing 200+ in a big game.

India vs New Zealand Final: India Dominate Powerplay with Abhishek Sharma’s Explosive Start

India has started the final in style with 92 runs in the powerplay without losing any wickets.

Indian openers started calmly in the final. Sanju Samson played the first four balls dot, and a six, and smashed a double on the last ball. New Zealand introduced a spinner in the second innings itself, a good plan for Abhishek, but both batters didn't take any risks.

However, after seeing some balls, Abhishek takes charge in the 3rd over, smashing some boundaries against Duffy and securing 15 from the 3rd over.

Abhishek carries the momentum and welcomes Locki Ferguson with a six and four in the fourth over of the match. Sanju also smashed a six and four, securing 24 runs in this over.

Matt Henry came on to bowl his second over, but the Indian batters showed their strength by scoring 21 runs in the over. Sanju Samson smashed two sixes during the over.

Abhishek started the last over of the power play with a four, a six, and a boundary against Jacob Duffy. Abhishek scored the fastest half-century of this World Cup by hitting four on the 5th ball and finished the powerplay with 92 runs without any wickets.

About match

New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bowl first against India in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Playing XIs

India: Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh

New Zealand: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Mitchell Santner, James Neesham, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Jacob Duffy