Fans celebrate across the country

India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the western city of Ahmedabad, on Sunday, to defend their T20 World Cup title. Twenty teams participated in this year's tournament.

After the victory, joyful fans wearing the team's jersey poured onto the streets from one end of the country to the other - beating drums, waving flags and setting off fireworks late into the night.

Cricket is a massively popular sport in India, attracting a huge audience and a fan base running into millions - and this is the latest in a string of major victories to trigger nationwide celebrations.

On Sunday, India became the first team to win consecutive ICC Men's T20 World Cup titles. In 2024, India won the trophy by beating South Africa by seven runs.

"This remarkable triumph reflects exceptional skills, determination and teamwork," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, congratulating the team. "They have shown outstanding grit through the tournament. This victory has filled every Indian heart with pride and joy."

While the last few overs were still being bowled by the Indian team, celebrations had already begun at the stadium in Ahmedabad and outside it.

By 23:00 local time (17:30 GMT), gatherings could be seen near Delhi's India Gate, Chennai's Marina Beach, outside Mumbai's airport, and in other cities that include Kolkata, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Guwahati and Patna.

Shraddha Mokal, a cricket fan who was part of a gathering in Mumbai, told news agency ANI: "I have no favourites, I love each member of the team. I can't express in words how happy I am today."

Another fan, who identified herself by her first name, Kalpana, and was part of a gathering in Gurgaon, a suburb of Delhi, told news agency PTI: "Once again our team has proved that this is the best in the world."

So far, the Indian men's team has won the ODI World Cup twice (1983 and 2011) and the T20 World Cup three times (2007, 2024 and 2026).

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to announce when and where the victory celebrations will be held - an event in which all team members participate with the World Cup trophy in the presence of thousands of fans.

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