India wins T20 Cricket World Cup by edging out South Africa
India won the Twenty20 World Cup with a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa. It was India’s first title in thirteen years.
Jun 30, 2024 12:41 PM
Jun 30, 2024, 08:41 AM ET
BRIDGETOWN (Barbados) — India won the Twenty20 World Cup final with a thrilling seven run win over South Africa on Saturday.
Heinrich Klaasen’s ferocious 52 off 27 balls was enough to give South Africa its first ICC final. They needed a run per ball 30 in order to win.
Jasprit Pandya and Arshdeep Sing, who each took seven wickets, came back to reduce South Africa to 169-8 in the final overs.
Kohli’s half-century, which he revealed later was his final T20 International, helped India reach 176-7 when Rohit Sharma won toss and chose to bat.
“Guys know what to do when pressure is applied,” said Sharma who announced his retirement following the match. “Today is a great example of how [we] stayed together, with our backs against the wall. We really wanted this… we are very proud of our boys and management.
India’s first T20 World Cup in 13 years, but it was their second T20 World Cup. Frustration had been growing. In the last 12 months, India has lost both the World Test Championship and the World Cup 50-over final, at home.
South Africa’s pain is far more intense. It was unbeaten in the final (as was India) and hoped to end its World Cup curse.
South Africa reached 147-4 after 15 overs, when Klaasen hit three sixes in the left-arm spinner Axar’s over. This cost India 24 runs.
Bumrah, the pace-ace, conceded just six runs in his next two overs, and Pandya caught Klaasen behind.
David Miller didn’t strike the ball much, despite his 21 runs. Left-arm fast bowler Singh only conceded four in the penultimate delivery. This gave Pandya 16 runs cushion to defend in the penultimate over.
Suryakumar Yadav, off Pandya’s first ball and the final result was sealed by a brilliant juggling grab on the edge of long-off.
“Gutted,” South Africa captain Aiden Markram said. “Hurts quite a bit, but incredibly proud. We never relaxed, as things move quickly in the backend, but we got to a good position where we could prove that were worthy finalists.
Kohli had earlier scored 76 runs off 59 deliveries, with six fours, and two sixes, after India’s early woes at 34-3 within the first five balls.
Patel handled the pressure very well, even after being promoted to No. Patel, who was promoted to No. 5, hit four sixes during his quick 47 from 31 balls. He also put India back on the right track with a 72-run partnership with Kohli.
Kohli reached his half-century in 48 balls during the 17th over. He then increased the pace by hitting big sixes at Kagiso Jansen (1-36) and Kagiso Rahbada (1-49). Kohli was caught in the deep during the penultimate ball.
Kohli stated that this was his last T20 World Cup and we wanted to accomplish these goals. “I did the right thing for my team when it was most important.” The next generation is ready to take over. Some amazing players will keep the flag high and take the team forward.”
Sharma, 37, has scored 4,231 runs for India in 159 games, including five centuries. The T20 World Cup victory on Saturday was Sharma’s second success, after winning the inaugural event in 2007. He has participated in every T20 World Cup since.
“This was also my last match,” Sharma said, adding that he will continue to be available for India to play in tests and one day internationals. There is no better time than now to bid farewell to this format. This has been a wonderful experience. This is how I began my India career. “This is what I wanted. I wanted to be the winner and thank everyone.”
Anrich Nortje (2-26) bowled the final over to Shivam Dube (27 off 16 balls), as India scored 58 in the five last overs.
Kohli gave India a great start when he hit Jansen, a left-arm fast-bowler for three boundaries within the first over. Sharma then struck Keshav Maharaj (2-23), a left-arm spinning left-arm bowler for two fours in his first two deliveries.
In his first over, Maharaj was able to strike twice. Klaasen caught Sharma low at square-leg with a brilliant catch and Rishabh Pan hit the toe end of the bat when attempting a reverse-sweep and ballooned an easy catch behind the wickets.
Klaasen shined again on the outfield, catching Yadav deep at fine leg after Rabada’s short pitched ball. Patel and Kohli then rebuilt the innings.
Patel was out after Quinton deKock’s brilliant direct throw. He intercepted Kohli flick and hit the stumps on the non-striker end.