India defeated South Africa by 7 runs in the final to clinch the ICC Men’s T-20 World Cup 2024 trophy at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday. The Team India this ended their 17-year-long wait for T-20 World Cup trophy to secure the trophy amidst difficult circumstances in a tight run chase against the Proteas.
It was India’s second -World Cup victory after they had won it in 2007 under the legendary MS Dhoni in South Africa, and first since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013 and ICC ODI World Cup in 2011.
Star batter Virat Kohli, who was an upcoming cricketer 17 years ago, made his first fifty of this tournament in the final a classy 76 off 59 balls with six fours and two sixes that carried India to a competitive 176 for seven.
Then the Indian bowlers, led by Arshdeep and Bumrah, worked their magic as they did throughout this tournament, limiting South Africa to 169/8 to propel India to their second T-20 World Cup. Arshdeep and Bumrah both are took 2 wickets. Hardik Pandya’s 3/20 snatched the crucial wicket to bring the game decisively in favour of India.
There were pockets of fight from the Proteas, who were playing in their maiden World Cup final. Heinrich Klaasen threatened India with a 52 off 27 balls a Brilliant innings.
After the Toss India needed the early dismissals of skipper Rohit Sharma (9), Rishabh Pant (0) and Suryakumar Yadav (3), which had reduced India to a worrying 34 for three. However, Kohli had an able partner in Axar Patel during the fourth wicket alliance that produced precious 72 runs to ease the early nerves. After the run-out of Axar another left-hander Shivam Dube gave some late steam to Indian innings.
After finish the match Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Superstar Virat Kohli retires from T20 internationals after winning World Cup title. Kohli said after winning the Player-of-the-Match award for his 59-ball 76 and he said “This was my last T20 World Cup and this is exactly what we wanted to achieve”
“This was my last T-20I game as well,” Rohit said at the press conference after the final. “No better time to say goodbye to this format. I’ve loved every moment of this. I started my India career playing this format. This is what I wanted, I wanted to win the cup.
On the other hand South Africa captain Aiden Markram said that, ‘It hurts quite a bit’, but ‘incredibly proud of this group of players’.
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Crifosports/30June24/AZ
