The Indian duo highlight the importance of team belief, support, and resilience after playing key roles in India’s memorable World Cup final victory over New Zealand national cricket team.

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India’s historic triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final was not only about big runs and wickets but also about the strong team culture that powered the squad through difficult moments. Young stars Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma credited the supportive environment within the Indian dressing room for helping them overcome personal struggles and deliver match-winning performances in the final held in Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.

Abhishek Sharma admitted that his confidence had taken a hit earlier in the tournament. After starting the competition with three consecutive ducks and enduring a lean run with the bat, the young opener began to question his own game. However, constant encouragement from teammates, coaches, and support staff helped him regain his belief.

In the final, Abhishek repaid that faith in spectacular fashion by smashing the fastest fifty of the tournament in just 18 balls against the New Zealand national cricket team. He emphasized that the positive atmosphere in the dressing room played a crucial role in helping him bounce back.

“When I was not making runs, everyone in the team wanted me to succeed again,” Abhishek said. “Even when I struggled with self-doubt, my teammates kept telling me that my moment would come. The support from players, coaches and staff made a huge difference.”

For Ishan Kishan, the World Cup success was the result of persistence and hard work during a challenging phase in his career. After being sidelined from the Indian setup for a period, Kishan returned to domestic cricket determined to improve and contribute to the team environment.

He explained that focusing on team success rather than individual recognition helped him regain his rhythm. According to Kishan, building strong relationships with teammates and learning from their habits played a major role in his comeback.

“No matter how tough the phase is, you must trust yourself,” Kishan said. “But it’s also important to support your teammates during their struggles because that support always comes back when you need it.”

The wicketkeeper-batter’s 23-ball half-century in the final was particularly emotional for him. Kishan revealed that he had lost his cousin sister in a car accident just a day before the match. Despite the mental turmoil, he decided to channel his emotions into his performance.

“I wasn’t feeling well mentally before the final,” Kishan said. “But I spoke with Hardik Pandya, and he reminded me that cricket is a team sport where we lift each other up. I wanted to score runs for my sister, and that gave me the strength to go out and perform.”

Kishan also credited Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav for trusting him with a key role in the squad. According to Kishan, the captain’s belief in his abilities motivated him to repay that trust on the biggest stage.

The batter added that observing senior players like Virat Kohli taught him an important lesson: while selection is not always in a player’s control, continuous improvement and dedication are.

Kishan further highlighted how the leadership group, including the coaching staff and captain, ensured that pressure never turned into fear within the squad. Instead, players were encouraged to play with freedom and confidence.

That mindset proved crucial when India returned to Ahmedabad, the venue where they had suffered heartbreak in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup Final. This time, however, the team focused on the present rather than past disappointment.

The result was a dominant performance in the final and a celebration of India’s strong team culture — a culture where players support each other, overcome adversity together, and ultimately achieve success as one united squad.