As the cricket world celebrated the Men in Blue’s unprecedented third T20 World Cup victory, batting great Sachin Tendulkar praised them as “totally deserving and rightful winners,” and former England captain Michael Vaughan called them the “best white-ball team by a good distance.”
At the Narendra Modi Stadium, India continued their brutal batting display, defeating New Zealand by 96 runs to become the first team to successfully defend the championship and the only side to win the T20 World Cup three times.
“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!
“Not in Mumbai to witness the celebration happening outside my house and all over the country. What an evening it has been. Incredible work, Team India.”
Virat Kohli, who retired from the format following India’s 2024 victory, praised the team’s tenacity and supremacy.
“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,” Kohli wrote on social media.
Jay Shah, the chairman of the ICC, acknowledged New Zealand’s run to the final and congratulated the squad for making history.
“What an incredible finale to the most global and accessible @ICC event ever! Congrats to India, who became the first team to win back-to-back #T20WorldCup titles. Well done to Suryakumar Yadav and the whole squad and staff. Congrats also to @BLACKCAPS for their great campaign,” Shah wrote.
The triumph, according to former captain and former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, demonstrated the power of Indian cricket on all fronts.
“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 posted.
Daren Sammy, the current coach and former captain of the West Indies, maintained his assertion that India had been the team to beat throughout the competition.
“Like I said from day one. In order the win the @ICC WC T20 you have to beat India in a knockout match. No team did that. Congrats to @BCCI on their 3rd WT20 title. Hard luck to the @BLACKCAPS (Very Consistent Team),” wrote the head coach of West Indies who were eliminated by India in the Super Eight stage in Kolkata.
India is the world’s greatest white-ball team, according to Vaughan.
“India are the best T20 team by a good distance .. Plus the best 50 over team by a good distance .. they will take some stopping in white ball cricket. they have taken the game to a different level,” wrote Vaughan, adding “but you can get them in Test cricket…”
Jasprit Bumrah was his choice for player of the tournament. Nonetheless, Sanju Samson was named Player-of-the-Tournament for his three pivotal fifties in the virtual quarterfinals against the West Indies, semifinal match versus England, and final.
Former South Africa cricketer Herschelle Gibbs wrote: “Convincing win by India, congrats on taking home the spoils.”
Shubman Gill, the captain of India’s Test and ODI teams, also joined the chorus of adulation.
“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.
Yuvraj Singh, the hero of the 2011 World Cup for India, praised the team’s tenacity in winning the championship.
“Defending a WorldCup takes character and this team led by @surya_14kumar played with real intent on the biggest stage!”
Additionally, Yuvraj praised a number of players for their performances during the tournament and 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,” he wrote, praising Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan, while adding that Abhishek Sharma was “outstanding in the final”.
Praising pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, Yuvraj wrote: “It was truly special, the tougher the situation the better he got!”
Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh wrote: “Total domination well done Team India… super proud of our team,” adding that he had posted his congratulatory message in advance “before the network gets busy”.
