India Register Fourth 250-Plus Total Of 2026 In T20 World Cup Final Against New Zealand

The India national cricket team reached another milestone in men’s T20 cricket by producing their fourth total above 250 in the 2026 calendar year, the most by any side in a single year.

The latest instance came in the final of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup against the New Zealand national cricket team at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

India’s first 250-plus score of the year arrived earlier in the season. The team piled up 271/5 against New Zealand in the fifth T20 International of the home series at Thiruvananthapuram.

Three more such scores followed during the ongoing World Cup campaign.

India registered 256/4 against Zimbabwe in the Super 8 phase in Chennai. They then produced 253/7 against England in the semi-final played at the Wankhede Stadium.

The defending champions added another massive total when they made 255/5 against New Zealand on March 8 in the tournament final.

These scores underline India’s strong batting dominance in the shortest format this year and throughout the World Cup.

The achievement also places India as the second side in men’s T20 history to register three 250-plus totals in a single tournament. Sunrisers Hyderabad first achieved the feat during the 2024 Indian Premier League.

Overall, India now tops the list for the most 250-plus totals by a team with seven such scores.

Sunrisers Hyderabad follow with five such totals. The West Indies cricket team, Zimbabwe national cricket team and Surrey County Cricket Club have recorded three each.

In the final match, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner opted to field first after winning the toss.

India responded with an aggressive start led by Abhishek Sharma. He struck 52 from 21 balls, including six fours and three sixes. He also shared a 98-run opening stand with Sanju Samson.

Samson later combined with Ishan Kishan for another century partnership. Kishan scored 54 from 25 deliveries, hitting four fours and four sixes, as India crossed the 200-run mark in the 16th over.

After a brief dip in scoring, Shivam Dube added the finishing touches with 26 not out from eight balls, striking three boundaries and two sixes. His late surge carried India to 255/5, the highest team total recorded in Men’s T20 World Cup history.

For New Zealand, James Neesham was the most successful bowler with figures of 3 for 46.

Also Read: Samson, Abhishek And Kishan Power India To 255/5 In T20 World Cup Final Against New Zealand