India became the first team to win three T20 World Cup titles.
India outclassed New Zealand by 96 runs in the final of the T20 World Cup 2026 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday (March 8).
As a result, the Men in Blue became the first team to defend their T20 World Cup title, win the trophy on three occasions and win on home soil.
Speaking on the Tapmad show ‘Game On Hai’, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar shared a hilarious take on India's dominant campaign, in which they lost only one match in the Super 8s against South Africa.
“India ne koshish ki, jaise amir bacha nahi hota mohalle me, jo saare gareeb bacho ko bula leta hai, ‘aao cricket khele’. Jeetna sirf maine hai. India bhi wahi kar raha hai humare saath. 8 teams me se 4 reh gayi hai, unko hara ke kehta hai, lo me jeet gaya. (It's just like a case of a rich kid in society who invites all the poor kids for a game of cricket just to beat them. It's just like that, only four teams are competitive in today's day and age, and India keeps winning),” Akhtar said.
Akhtar’s comment left the fellow panellists on the show, including Mohammad Hafeez, Umar Gul and Saqlain Mushtaq, in splits.
The Rawalpindi Express went on to praise India’s domestic structure and merit-based selection as well.
"It is the testament of their policies, system and merit. There could have been a case where money was not utilised properly. Gautam Gambhir took the risk and brought Sanju Samson into the mix. Abhishek Sharma is young and brash; he needs to learn a lot. But Samson is very mature," Akhtar stated.
"India showed how they give chances to the right players. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli said goodbye and now India have gone on to win the World Cup. With the speed they are going, it's ominous," he added.
He also backed India to win the ODI World Cup in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe next year. “If you get the trophy today, take it today only,” Akhtar remarked.
In the title clash, India produced a clinical performance, posting a mammoth 255/5 in 20 overs after being put into bat -- the highest-ever total in the final of a T20 World Cup.
Sanju Samson led the way with a knock of 89 in 46 balls. Abhishek Sharma (52 off 21) saved his best for last, smashing the fastest half-century of the tournament, off just 18 balls. Kishan (54 off 25) and Shivam Dube (26 off 8) also made significant contributions.
With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah (4/15 in 4 overs) and Axar Patel (3/27 in 3 overs) were the pick of the bowlers as India bundled New Zealand out for 159 in 19 overs.