India win T20 World Cup Updates: What's next for team India as dust settles on historic evening in Ahmedabad

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: The Indian captain has delivered on the promise he would have made to stakeholders and fans when he took over from Rohit Sharma – taking this team, guiding them through the transition, and ensuring India's quality in the shortest format led to consistent results.

But at 35 years old, things won't be the same for SKY after this success. What is to be expected now?

Where does Suryakumar Yadav go from here after leading India to T20 World Cup glory?

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: India win their record third, and two back-to-back trophies in T20 World Cups. But each of those three teams have been very different, and each of those victories has meant very different things. A retrospective on each of these campaigns, and the narratives that came to define them. Probuddha Bhattacharjee writes for HT:

READ HERE: Three crowns, three journeys: What makes India's 2007, 2024 and 2026 T20 World Cup wins unique

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: Former India Test captain Anil Kumble heaped praise on the Player of the Tournament, Sanju Samson, calling him a mix of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Some high praise this from Jumbo!

"I think Samson is a combination of Kohli and Rohit, in a sense. When it required a little bit of Kohli, where you just plan and ensure that you don’t lose wickets. And then whenever you need to accelerate, in the powerplay, you want to take on the bowlers [like Rohit],” Kumble said on ESPNcricinfo.

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: Gautam Gambhir on Monday afternoon reacted to MS Dhoni's viral Instagram post, where the latter urged the India head coach to smile more as it looks good on his face.

Taking to the comments section, Gambhir replied back, “And what a reason to smile. Great seeing you.”

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: After winning the T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav laid down the marker for his team, saying he desperately wants to win a gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

“It has been very special and collectively as a team what we've achieved I think it's right in front of you so very happy with that and as you rightly said definitely the next goal is Olympics, Olympic gold and also the T20 World Cup that year. Don't forget,” he told reporters.

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner admitted that his side were no match to India in the final and were completely outplayed by the Men in Blue.

“They know how to play in these conditions. They play on a lot of flat wickets against quality sides. And they showed that again today, that once they're going, it's pretty tough to stop. So I think for us, it was, whether it was being braver with yorkers or bounces, I think we tried a lot of the cutters into the wicket that aren't offering it much, , they just kind of go as well. So I think, they did knock it around at times and I think when we did use the slower bounces, the Yorkers, for that little phase in the middle we were able to slow them down but I think again the damage was done and then Dubé coming in at the end and hitting, they were all striking it pretty well at the moment so I think yeah 230 we could have taken 230 on a pretty good wicket,” he told reporters.

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: While talking about India's victory, former Pakistan opening batter Ahmed Shehzad said Pakistan are no match to India and the biggest reason behind the decline is how the Green Shirts constantly play against smaller teams like Zimbabwe, Uganda and Kenya.

“What level of cricket are you playing in Pakistan? And you just keep doing this, calling Zimbabwe and beating them, calling Kenya and beating them, calling Uganda and beating them,” he said on the ‘Haarna Mana Hai’ show.

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar went gaga over Team India's performance in the final, saying winning T20 World Cup for two times in a row is no mean feat and the entire team deserves to celebrate.

“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. What a fantastic performance by our team and a special brand of cricket on display. Well done, Team India. Jai Hind,” wrote Tendulkar.

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir said that Suryakumar Yadav might have won the World Cup, but his future as captain would depend on how he performs in IPL 2026, considering his low returns with the bat in the Asia Cup 2025 and World Cup 2026.

“His future as captain would depend on IPL 2026. He didn't do anything in the Asia Cup and the World Cup. In the entire tournament, he didn't do anything,” said Amir on the ‘Haarna Mana Hai’ show.

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar made a sweeping declaration, saying India are the firm favourites to win the next edition of the 50-over World Cup as well.

“Agar 2027 World Cup aaj milta hai, toh aaj lelijiye. (If you get the trophy today, take it today itself),” said Akhtar on the ‘Game On Hai’ show.

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: Former India captain and the BCCI President, Sourav Ganguly, stated that India have now become a real powerful side.

“Congratulations India for winning the t20 World Cup .. very powerful side ..got better in the bigger games..indian cricket in great place . Women’s champion ,under 19 champion and now the men’s t20 champions,” Ganguly wrote on X.

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: Yuvraj Singh, who was instrumental in India's World Cup wins in 2007 and 2011, took to Twitter to congratulate the entire contingent. He highlighted the contribution of every member of the playing XI, and said that the performance in the final was a complete team effort.

“Back-to-back #WorldChampions! Defending a #WorldCup takes character and this team led by @surya_14kumar played with real intent on the biggest stage! @IamSanjuSamson @ishankishan51 @OfficialAbhi04 were outstanding in the final. Sanju, across the opportunities showed again why he’s a match winner. Ishan was consistent right through and played a solid role in India’s run. @IamShivamDube @hardikpandya7 shifted momentum at will when the game demanded it,” Yuvraj wrote on X.

@Jaspritbumrah93 was truly special, the tougher the situation the better he got! @akshar2026 was magical with the ball, picking up crucial wickets, with Hardik, @arshdeepsinghh and #VarunChakaravarthy keeping the pressure on throughout. Congratulations to coach @GautamGambhir and the entire support staff as well! A lot of hard work goes into moments like this! India, World Champions again," he added.

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: The likes of Mohammad Hafeez, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi, Sana Mir, Umar Gul, and Shoaib Akhtar congratulated India for winning the T20 World Cup for the third time, saying the victory is a testament to their domestic structure and the kind of cricketers there are in the country.

Mohammad Amir, who predicted that New Zealand would win in the final, stated that he was proven wrong by India on the all-important day.

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: Shubman Gill, who narrowly missed out on the T20 World Cup team, congratulated the entire contingent for putting on a dominant show and outclass New Zealand on the big day.

“So proud of our team. Winning a World Cup for India is the dream and you’ve made the entire nation proud. Congratulations boys,” he wrote on X.

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: Virat Kohli was unable to keep calm after India created history by becoming the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title. He congratulated all players and support staff for the phenomenal achievement.

“Champions. Phenomenal win for Team India in Ahmedabad. Absolutely no match for the explosive cricket played by us throughout the tournament. 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,” wrote Kohli on X.

India's third T20 World Cup win Live Updates: After the T20 World Cup win, former India captain MS Dhoni penned a special message for India head coach Gautam Gambhir, saying a smile looks very good on his face, and he should do it more often.

“Coach Sahab smile looks great on u, intensity with smile is a killer combo, very well done,” he wrote on Instagram.

India vs New Zealand T20 Live Score: What a moment for this young, exciting team. Captain SKY:

"It'll take time to sink in but very happy about what has happened today. Started with the 2024 WC, Jay bhai and Rohit bhai showed faith in me to lead this wonderful side. It's a special feeling to come here to the Modi Stadium and do it.

We knew we were playing good cricket through the two years, we wanted to follow all the good habits. Wanted to tell the boys of the feeling of a World Cup. That was imbibed to everyone.

It's important to understand what they are capable of. Timing was perfect for all of them to come in and show what they were capable of. They have all been in the circuit for a very long time, taking care of each other.

How Sanju said he wanted to give his man of the match to Bumrah, I can call him a national treasure right now."

"Proud of the boys to make it this far. Had challenges throughout the tournament but got through. Most games we play it's always a great crowd and a sea of blue. Credit to India for winning a title at home, always comes with pressure, credit to SKY and the boys.

Different guys stepped up at different times. We were confronted with challenges and nice to get through. Tonight we were outplayed, but proud of the boys."

India vs New Zealand T20 Live Score: Still not quite able to get over that hump to lift a World Cup, but they remain such a professional and likeable team – you will always hear that, but because it's true.

India vs New Zealand T20 Live Score: Taking their sweet time, are the organisers – but the players won't mind. Gives them time to really, really soak it in. Arshdeep Singh running around making his videos which are sure to go viral in the morning.

Here we are then. The presentation ceremony.

India vs New Zealand T20 Live Score: The wait is on for the trophy lift. Until then, the players all taking pictures with each other and with their families and loved ones. Spouses, children, Rohit Sharma, everyone.

India vs New Zealand T20 Live Score: Player of the series goes to Sanju Samson for a terrific knockout performance!

"Very happy, very grateful. A lot emotions and going through it but very happy, out of words. This started 1-2 years before, in the 2024 World Cup winning team, I couldn't play a game. I kept working, visualising, dreaming. This is what I wanted, god is good. After the NZ series, I was broken, my dreams were shattered, I was thinking what I could do.

Very proud I was courageous enough to dream about it and make it happen in this tournament.

A lot of guidance and suggestions from the Indian team have helped me figure things out. Last couple of months, I hope I can share it here, I have been in constant touch with Sachin sir. I thought about what is the mindset required, I reached out to sir and had huge conversations with him. Even yesterday he asked me how am I feeling.

Big for me, need to figure out what next I need to do."

India vs New Zealand T20 Live Score: Jasprit Bumrah speaks!

"Feels extremely special because I've played one final at my home venue but couldn't win that one, but today I won. I was very motivated, very clear, played all my cricket here so used all my experience. Everything went to plan.

Before this tournament I was in that zone where I felt I was trying too hard because I was bowling well but felt I was trying too hard. This format I just tried to let the game come to me, and that worked really well. Believed in myself. My individual assessment has always been my strength of my game, and couldn't be more special to win man of the match here, at my home ground in a World Cup final, it doesn't get better than that.

Because of the experience, I've played on belters over here, and I have seen the other teams how they were bowling, I learnt that trying to bowl too fast can make shot-making easier, the ball just skids on. So just played smart, and tried to think of what the batsmen were trying to do. Clarity while execution really helps.

Whenever we discuss, they always come up with options, and when communication is needed we did that, we kept calm, never panicking, kept our head above the water, hold our nerve. The teams who can do that win the tournament."

India vs New Zealand T20 Live Score: Three teams had two trophies each in T20 World Cups before this evening. India had the chance to become the first to make it three.

And they just did that. 2007. 2024. 2026.

Tilak Varma says the fielding wasn't perfect today, but showed up in the key moments. As for the celebrations?

“Next couple of days will be a big party with the boys. We will take a couple of fresheners, and then head off to the IPL.”