India came into the T20 World Cup 2026 as heavy favourites based on the performances of the last two years in leading up to the tournament. India were unbeaten in bilateral series from 2024 World Cup triumph to this World Cup which also included winning Asia Cup 2025 unbeaten. So, India entered this tournament as two-time defending champions and the form suggested that they could win the tournament for the third time and create history if things fall into place.
The journey was never expected to be easy as they had to beat history of many things. Like no defending champion had defended their crown, no home team had won the tournament and add to that no team had won the tournament thrice. India, West Indies and England were tied on 2 titles each. But the Men in Blue dug deep and came out with flying colours as they made history. But the journey to it was far from easy and we will look at their journey in this article.
India Scraped Through The Group Stage Unbeaten
India were placed in Group A of the tournament alongside Pakistan, USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. India faced USA in their first Group game in Mumbai and were asked to bat first. India found themselves in real strife at 77/6 and were rescued by captain Suryakumar Yadav who scored a majestic 84 to power India past 160 as Surya for the record was dropped as well by USA’s Shubham Ranjane. But then the bowlers led by Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh came to the party to give India a winning start by 29 runs in Mumbai.
India then went to New Delhi next to face Namibia in a game Abhishek Sharma missed due to illness. Sanju Samson got a start and got out. It was Ishan Kishan’s power-packed half-century and Hardik Pandya’s half-century as well that powered India past 200 despite the Men in Blue losing loads of wickets in clusters to be restricted to 209 in the end. With the ball, Varun Chakaravarthy picked up 3 wickets and Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah were amongst the wickets as India won the contest easily by 93 runs.
India then travelled to Colombo to play their arch-rivals Pakistan in a mega clash. Abhishek Sharma got out for another duck, but it was Ishan Kishan’s knock of a whirlwind half-century that killed the contest literally. Useful contributions from Suryakumar Yadav, and Shivam Dube alongside Rinku Singh as well took India to 175/7 in 20 overs and there was no way Pakistan was chasing that at the Premadasa Stadium. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya started it, the spinners took over as Pakistan were never in it as they were bowled out for 114 to lose by 61 runs.
India played their final Group A game in Ahmedabad against the Netherlands as qualification for the Super 8s was secure. Abhishek Sharma got another duck to his name as India stuttered a bit. But this time it was Shivam Dube who rescued India with his half-century and Hardik Pandya played his part as well. The Men in Blue managed to pass 190 and then Netherlands were spirited in their reply and gave India scares. But India hung on for a 17-run win and finished on top of the points table.
India suffers crushing loss to South Africa; bounces back to make the semi-finals
In the Super 8s stage, India were placed in Group 1 alongside South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe. India faced South Africa in their Super 8 fixture in Ahmedabad. India crash landed in this game and were brought down to planet Earth by the Proteas fire. India initially reduced South Africa to 20/3 but then David Miller put on a show with Dewald Brevis before Tristan Stubbs showed his finishing prowess as the Proteas scored 187 runs on the board.
India were never really in the run chase as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Shivam Dube showed some resistance for his 43 but the rest failed as a unit as loads of tactical errors were made in the contest as South Africa crushed India by 76 runs as the hosts all of a sudden with this heavy loss were on the brink of being knocked out of the tournament.
Before playing their must-win game against Zimbabwe, India got help from South Africa as the Proteas defeated the West Indies to make sure that Net Run Rate does not come into play and it becomes a direct shootout between India and West Indies for the second spot with Proteas already through to the semi-finals. India were put into bat yet again and this time the power might of India came through. Sanju Samson back in the side got a start and gave the impetus.
Abhishek Sharma came into his own and scored a half-century. Ishan Kishan scored a cameo and so did the others like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Tilak Varma as India amassed a huge 256/4 in Chennai. The game was done and dusted here as Zimbabwe were never going to chase this but they put in a spirited reply posting 184/6 with Brian Bennett carrying his bat for his unbeaten 97 as Arshdeep Singh bowled well for his 3-wicket haul. India were alive in Chennai and in the tournament and now had to face West Indies in virtual quarter-final in Kolkata.
India elected to bowl first at Eden Gardens, Kolkata as West Indies batted first and posted a more than competitive 195/4 in 20 overs with Roston Chase scoring 40 off 25 balls and Jason Holder and Rovman Powell scoring unbeaten 30s including 70 runs in the back 5 overs. Chasing 196 for a place in the semi-finals, it was the Sanju Samson show as his unbeaten 97 off 50 balls to carry his bat guided the chase while others like Tilak Varma chipped in and Shivam Dube as well under pressure towards the end with two boundaries as India knocked out West Indies.
The dream was still alive as India qualified for the semis and headed off to Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai to face England.
India staves off Jacob Bethell special to qualify for the finals
India were put into bat first in an absolute road in Mumbai and they knew against a power packed England batting, they needed to post as much as possible. Abhishek Sharma fell early but it was the Sanju Samson show yet again as the right-hander from Kerala put on a show once again. He scored 89 off 42 balls and was ably supported by Shivam Dube’s 43 off 25 balls and Ishan Kishan’s 39 off 18 balls. Tilak Varma scored 21 off 7 balls while Hardik Pandya chipped in as well to help India amass 253/7 in 20 overs.
In reply, England lost Phil Salt, Jos Buttler and captain Harry Brook relatively early as India were terrific in the field. But Jacob Bethell threatened India till the end with his superlative ton as he played the innings of his life. Will Jacks played well as well for his 35 but it was a case of so near yet so far for England as Hardik Pandya bowled well and so did Jasprit Bumrah who was the main difference between the two sides. England dropped Sanju Samson courtesy of Harry Brook.
But India took the catches that came their way with Axar Patel leading the way with brilliant catches of Brook and Jacks to tilt the game. This game showed India’s fielding might and how they outplayed England in that aspect. It was a close game but India were winners by 7 runs to qualify for yet another final, their 4th T20 final overall.
India thrashes New Zealand in summit clash in Ahmedabad for record 3rd title.Â
In the summit clash, India faced New Zealand and not South Africa as previously anticipated by many experts with New Zealand thrashing the Proteas out in Kolkata. In the summit clash, India were again asked to bat first on a flat pitch and the Kiwis did not know what hit them. After the first two overs of 12 runs, India turned it on first through Samson and then Abhishek as well. It was a welcome return to form for Abhishek as he took down New Zealand who made blunders left, right and centre.
India scored 92 runs in the powerplay overs for the loss of 0 wickets and there was no looking back from here. After this, Abhishek fell for 52 but Sanju Samson carried on for another 89 off 46 balls while Ishan Kishan made a power-packed 54 runs off 25 balls as India reached 203/1 in 15 overs. Jimmy Neesham with triple strikes brought the Kiwis back in the contest a little bit but then Shivam Dube’s late cameo helped India finish with a massive 255/5 in 20 overs and half the job was done here only.
In reply, New Zealand tried to make a match out of it but once Finn Allen fell early. The writing was on the wall. Tim Seifert scored a good half century while Mitchell Santner scored 43 but that was not going to hurt the Indians. Jaspirt Bumrah picked up 4 wickets and showed his class on the big stage finishing with 4/15 in 4 overs. Axar Patel finished with 3/27 in 3 overs while Abhishek Sharma got the last wicket to fall as India won by 95 runs to create history.
The fact that India did this with Varun Chakaravarthy being off-colour spoke volumes as to how others stepped up to cover that weakness. It was a team effort in the end and India were the deserving champions winning the trophy for the third time and going back-to-back breaking all the odds of not winning it back-to-back. Bumrah was awarded Player of the Match and Samson was awarded the Player of the Series.
The celebrations continued long into the night as every citizen of India celebrated with the Indian team and praises were being showered from all quarters for the Men in Blue and whether one likes it or not, deservingly so. Gautam Gambhir’s format is T20Is and he has excelled to get the T20 crown. But in ODIs and Tests, India are lagging behind, but that discussion is for another day.
So, India were the champions and the journey was bumpy which was expected, but the Indians peaked at the right time to get the silverware in the end. South Africa unfortunately peaked too early and lost when it mattered.
Also Read:Â ICC T20 WC 2026: Abhishek Sharma Outsmarts New Zealand In Powerplay.