Stories Behind India’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Victory
India won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final in an emotional match marked by Ishan Kishan’s heartfelt performance and memorable on-field moments.
India’s victory in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 final was not just a big sporting achievement but also a night filled with emotional and personal moments for several players.
One of the most touching stories was about Ishan Kishan. Just one day before the final, his cousin and brother-in-law died in a car accident. Kishan wanted to go home, but after speaking with teammate Hardik Pandya, he decided to stay and play the final for the team. Despite his grief, Kishan gave an outstanding performance by scoring 54 runs off 25 balls and taking two important catches in the field. After the match, he dedicated the victory to her and said that winning on International Women’s Day made the moment even more special.
There were also personal celebrations on the field after the victory. Hardik Pandya shared an emotional moment with his girlfriend Mahieka Sharma and credited her for bringing positivity and stability into his life. He said that since she came into his life, things have started going right for him both personally and professionally.
It was also a special day for Axar Patel, who is affectionately called “Bapu” by fans. For the first time, his young son watched him play live in the stadium, making the victory even more memorable for the all-rounder.
The match also saw a brief tense moment on the field involving Arshdeep Singh and Daryl Mitchell. In the 11th over of New Zealand’s chase, Arshdeep tried to run Mitchell out and threw the ball at the stumps. The throw accidentally hit Mitchell on the thigh, which led to a heated exchange between the players. Umpires and India captain Suryakumar Yadav stepped in to calm the situation. Later, Arshdeep apologised and joked that his throw had “too much reverse swing,” after which both players shook hands and settled the matter.
The victory also brought a major financial reward for India. As champions, the team received a prize of $3 million (about ?27.5 crore). Runners-up New Zealand earned $1.6 million (around ?14.6 crore).
Teams that reached the semi-finals, including England and South Africa, received $790,000 (around ?7.30 crore) each. Teams that reached the Super 8 stage but did not go further earned $380,000 (around ?3.5 crore).
All 20 participating teams in the tournament were guaranteed at least $250,000 (around ?2.3 crore), even if they were eliminated in the first round.
