Ahmedabad: India’s commanding 96-run triumph over New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final ignited a global wave of acclaim from cricketing icons, marking the nation’s record third title and its first successful title defence.

The victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium drew high praise from former captain Virat Kohli, who lauded the squad’s resilience on social media. “Champions, Phenomenal win for Team India in Ahmedabad. Absolutely no match for the explosive cricket played by us throughout the tournament," Kohli wrote on X. "Brilliant character shown by the boys to keep fighting in tough situations and become world champions once again. Congratulations to all the players and all the members of the management for achieving this feat. Jai Hind.”

Legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar emphasised the historic nature of the achievement, noting that India is the first program to secure consecutive T20 trophies. “Winning the World Cup twice in a row, the first time any team has done so in the T20 format. Totally deserving and rightful winners of the trophy," Tendulkar said. "What a fantastic performance by our team and a special brand of cricket on display. Well done, Team India. Jai Hind!”

Individual performances were a primary focus for observers. Yuvraj Singh specifically cited the "outstanding" contributions of Sanju Samson, whose 89-run knock he labelled match-winning, while also praising the "magical" bowling of Axar Patel and the composure of Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah’s 4-15 masterclass and Samson’s explosive batting were the cornerstones of a campaign directed by captain Suryakumar Yadav and head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Generational Pride

The sentiment of national pride resonated across several generations of Indian cricketers:

  • Shubman Gill: The current Test and ODI captain expressed his immense pride, stating the team had fulfilled the ultimate "dream" for the nation.
  • Virender Sehwag: Known for his aggressive style, Sehwag quipped that the team handled the final's intensity as if it were a "Sunday gully match."
  • VVS Laxman: The former middle-order mainstay noted that such victories would inspire "millions of young cricketers" to pursue the sport.
  • Mohammad Shami: Highlighting the years of India's T20 glory, 2007, 2024, and 2026, Shami celebrated the joy brought to "a billion hearts."

Coaching and Strategy

The leadership of Gautam Gambhir also came under the spotlight. Former player Shreevats Goswami pointed out that Gambhir remains "unbeaten in the finals" in both his playing and coaching careers, praising the coach for backing his players to deliver.

International voices joined the chorus of approval, with former England captain Kevin Pietersen declaring India the "best team by a mile."

Meanwhile, domestic veterans like Wasim Jaffer observed that while India made errors during the group stages, their "batting might" proved insurmountable once the knockout rounds began.

With inputs from IANS