The task for the rest of the world is to make up the sizeable gap India have built at the top of the T20 game.
One the face of it, the three-time champions, the first men’s side to defend the T20 crown and the first to win it on home soil, look to have everything going their way.
A young team, talent groomed in the IPL and the benefits of the funds that tournament provides, all while taking home a greater share of the international game’s revenue than anyone else.
The win in the T20 World Cup in 2024 ended a 13-year wait for a title and has provided unerring confidence.
India have only lost two of 34 matches at the past four global white-ball events. Catching them will be no easy task.
But, as good as they have been here over the past two weeks, the rest have to look to the tighter moments in this tournament.
West Indies dropped two catches in their defeat by India. Harry Brook put down Sansom in the semi-final. Things could have been different, or at least that has to be the hope.
The run of world events across the past three years has fallen kindly for India.
It began with the 2023 tournament on home soil, which they should have won, before more slow pitches in the Caribbean in 2024.
After that came the Champions Trophy where all of their matches were held in Dubai, and then this event hosted at home and Sri Lanka.
Cricket’s calendar now turns away from the subcontinent, with the next 50-over World Cup to be played in across Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa in 2027. Pitches there will offer pace and bounce.
After that, Australia and New Zealand host the 2028 T20 World Cup, where fast bowlers will again be key.
More depth behind Bumrah will have to be found, while recent struggles in Test cricket – India have lost at home to South Africa and New Zealand in the past two years – will require some focus.
In between those next two World Cups will be the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, played in the T20 format. It is an event already on players’ minds.
“Definitely the next goal is Olympic gold and the next T20 World Cup,” said Suryakumar.
“Since 2024, the way we have played, we have won three ICC trophies in a row and we have not looked back.
“We want to continue doing that in 2027, 2028, 2029 and never stop.”
The rest of the world have been warned.
It is up to someone to catch India. That is something the game needs.
