The Indian cricket team has rewritten the record books in Men’s T20 cricket by posting its fourth 250-plus score in 2026, the most by any team in a single calendar year. This remarkable achievement came during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final against New Zealand at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, highlighting India’s unparalleled dominance in the shortest format.
Earlier in the year, India had already posted 271/5 against New Zealand in the 5th T20I of the home series at Thiruvananthapuram. During the T20 World Cup, the Men in Blue continued their onslaught with 256/4 against Zimbabwe in the Super 8 stage in Chennai, followed by 253/7 against England in the semi-final at Wankhede Stadium. The final against New Zealand saw India hammer 255/5, setting the highest total in T20 World Cup history and cementing their dominance on the global stage.
This feat makes India only the second team in Men’s T20 history to register three 250-plus totals in a single T20 competition, following Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 2024 IPL campaign. India now leads all teams with seven 250-plus totals in 2026, ahead of Sunrisers Hyderabad with five, while West Indies, Zimbabwe, and Surrey have three each.
In the final, New Zealand opted to field first after winning the toss but quickly found themselves on the back foot. Abhishek Sharma returned to form spectacularly, smashing 52 off just 21 balls with six fours and three sixes, combining with a 98-run partnership with Sanju Samson to punish the Kiwi bowlers. Samson then forged a century stand with Ishan Kishan, who contributed 54 off 25 balls, to push India past 200 by the 16th over. Shivam Dube added a late flourish with 26 not out off eight deliveries, taking India to 255/5. James Neesham led New Zealand’s attack with 3/46, but it was too little to stop India’s historic onslaught.
This year has firmly established India as the undisputed powerhouse in T20 cricket, setting new standards for scoring and team performance worldwide.
