New Delhi, March 8 (NationPress) Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Indian cricket team for their outstanding victory over New Zealand in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, calling it a moment of immense pride for the entire nation.

In a statement on X, Kharge expressed that the win had brought joy and a sense of pride to millions of Indians, emphasizing that the team’s performance in the final showcased exceptional determination and teamwork.

“Congratulations to Team India on an incredible win against New Zealand in the #T20WorldCup Final. 140 crore Indians are deeply proud tonight,” the Congress leader stated.

He commended Captain Suryakumar Yadav for his confident leadership during the intense final match.

Kharge also acknowledged the vital roles played by various players in achieving this victory. He referred to Sanju Samson as the “saviour of the final” and labeled Ishan Kishan the “unsung hero” for his significant contributions during the match.

The Congress President further praised the efforts of Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakravarthy, Abhishek Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, noting that their combined efforts propelled India to this historic achievement.

Kharge wished the Indian team ongoing success and a prosperous future in the realm of international cricket.

During the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Team India’s openers Sanju Samson (89), Abhishek Sharma (52), and Ishan Kishan (54) laid the foundation for a formidable total.

Sanju Samson maintained his excellent form from previous matches, scoring his third consecutive half-century.

Samson’s impressive innings of 89 off 46 balls, featuring five fours and eight sixes, pushed India to a staggering total of 255/5—recording the second-highest total in the tournament and the highest ever in World Cup history—before the bowlers dismantled New Zealand in the powerplay, clinching a comprehensive victory as the visitors were bowled out for 159 in just 19 overs.

In top form, Samson, who had previously scored 97 not out and 89 in his last two innings, formed an opening partnership of 98 with Abhishek Sharma, who shone in the title match with his 52 off 21 balls, while Ishan Kishan scored 54 off 25 balls, contributing to the relentless assault.

James Neesham briefly halted India’s momentum by taking three wickets in one over, but Shivam Dube’s explosive unbeaten 26 off eight balls propelled India past the 250-run mark. Local stars Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel then tore through New Zealand's upper order, reducing them to 52/3 and extinguishing any hopes of a record chase, as India lived up to their pre-tournament expectations and made history.