New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner shared an emotional statement after his team suffered a heavy defeat against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 final. The match was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where India produced a dominant performance to win the title by 96 runs.
Despite missing the chance to win their first T20 World Cup, Santner said he was still proud of the way his players performed throughout the tournament.
India batted first in the final and scored a massive 255 for 5 in their 20 overs. In response, New Zealand struggled in the chase and were bowled out for 159 runs in 19 overs, handing India a comfortable victory in front of a packed crowd.
“I Am Proud of My Team” – Santner
Speaking after the match, Santner praised his players for reaching the final and competing strongly during the tournament.
He said that the team faced several challenges during the competition but managed to overcome them at different stages. According to him, reaching the final itself was a big achievement for the players.
— media (@Monusoni0) March 9, 2026
Santner explained that although the final result was disappointing, the team should still feel proud of their journey and the effort they put into the tournament.
He also admitted that New Zealand lost to a very strong team on the night and accepted that India performed better in the final.
Santner Praises India and Surya Kumar Yadav
During his post-match remarks, Santner also spoke about the atmosphere at the stadium and the strong support for the Indian team.
He noted that whenever New Zealand play in big tournaments, they often face passionate crowds. In the final, the stadium looked like a sea of blue as thousands of fans came to support India.
Santner acknowledged that winning a world title on home soil brings extra pressure, but India handled that pressure extremely well.
He also praised Suryakumar Yadav and the Indian team, saying they deserved credit for the way they performed in the final.
New Zealand Strong Tournament Run
Although the final ended in disappointment, New Zealand had an impressive campaign throughout the T20 World Cup 2026.
Santner highlighted that different players stepped up at important moments during the tournament. According to him, the team showed strong character in difficult matches and performed especially well in the Super 8 stage and the semifinal.
He explained that teamwork and contributions from multiple players helped New Zealand reach the final of the tournament.
Even though the final result did not go their way, Santner said the players should still feel satisfied with their overall performance.
India Lift the T20 World Cup 2026 Trophy
India’s dominant performance in the final helped them secure another major ICC title. Their powerful batting display set a huge target, and the bowlers later controlled the match to seal the victory.
For New Zealand, the defeat meant another missed opportunity to win a T20 World Cup title. However, Santner’s reaction showed respect for the opponent and pride in his team’s effort throughout the competition.
His calm and honest statement after the final has been appreciated by many cricket fans, who praised his sportsmanship despite the painful loss.
