India cricket put together a historic performance in the 2026 T20 World Cup championship match vs. New Zealand.
After New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first, India’s bats made the Kiwis instantly regret the decision. The ‘Men in Blue’ scored a blistering 255 runs in the 20 over match. That is the third-highest score ever for a T20 match and the highest score in a final.
India, which is the defending T20 World Cup champions, bested its own previous record of 176 in the 2024 World Cup Final vs. South Africa. Now England must break tie the second-highest score ever to chase down India to win its first T20 World Cup.
Sanju Samson scored 89 off 46 balls with five 4s and eight 6s to open the batting for the Men in Blue, while fellow opener Abhishek Sharma added 52 runs off 21 balls and Ishan Kishan had 54 runs off 25 balls.
Here’s a look at the records for most runs scores in a T20 Cricket World Cup match and final:
Most runs by single team in T20 Cricket World Cup final
India now owns three of the top scores in the T20 World Cup final. India set the previous record for most run scored in a T20 final with 176 vs. South Africa in 2024.
India, 255, (2026) vs. New Zealand
India, 176 (2024) vs. South Africa
Australia, 173 (2021) vs. New Zealand
New Zealand, 172 (2021) vs. Australia
South Africa, 169 (2024) vs. India
West Indies, 161 (2016) vs. England
India, 157 (2007) vs. Pakistan
England, 155 (2016) vs. West Indies
Pakistan, 152 (2007) vs. India
England, 148 (2010) vs. Australia
Most runs in T20 Cricket World Cup match
1. Sri Lanka, 260 vs. Kenya, Sept. 4, 2007
2. India, 256 vs. Zimbabwe, Feb. 26, 2026
3. India, 255 vs. New Zealand, March 8, 2026
4. West Indies, 254 vs. Zimbabwe, Feb. 23, 2026
5. India, 253 vs. England, March 5, 2026
6. England, 246 vs. India, March 5, 2026
7. Ireland, 235 vs. Oman, Feb. 14, 2026
8. England, 230 vs. South Africa, March 18, 2016
9. South Africa, 229 vs. England, March 18, 2016
10. Sri Lanka, 225 vs. Oman, Feb. 12, 2026