India Clinches Thrilling T20 World Cup Final Victory Over South Africa

In a thrilling T20 World Cup 2024 final, India clinched victory from the jaws of defeat against South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, winning by seven runs. This triumph marks India’s second T20 World Cup title, joining England and the West Indies as the only teams to achieve this feat. India previously won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 by defeating Pakistan.

The victory shattered South Africa’s dreams of securing their first T20 World Cup title. The match seemed almost lost for India, but stellar performances from Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya in the 16th and 17th overs turned the tide.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma supports Kohli ahead of the T20I World Cup final

Chasing a target, South Africa faced early setbacks, losing Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram. However, a 68-run partnership between Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs brought them back into the game. South Africa looked poised to win after Heinrich Klaasen smashed Axar Patel for 22 runs in the 15th over. But Pandya’s crucial wicket of Klaasen, who scored 52, initiated South Africa’s downfall.

Needing 16 runs in the final over, South Africa’s hopes were dashed when Pandya removed David Miller on the first ball, thanks to an exceptional catch by Suryakumar Yadav. The Proteas finished at 169-8. For India, Pandya took three wickets, Arshdeep Singh and Bumrah claimed two each, and Patel got one.

In the first innings, Virat Kohli was the top scorer for India with 76 runs off 59 balls, including six fours and two sixes. India started strong, scoring 15 runs in the first over. Rohit Sharma hit two boundaries before getting out, and soon after, Rishabh Pant also lost his wicket. India faced another setback when Suryakumar Yadav was dismissed, leaving them at 34-3 in 4.3 overs.

A crucial 72-run partnership between Kohli and Axar Patel stabilized the innings. Patel, who scored 47, was run out, and Kohli, after completing his half-century, accelerated before getting out for 76. Shivam Dube added a valuable 27 off 16 balls. South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje each took two wickets, while Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jensen picked up one apiece.

Playing XIs

India:

1. Rohit Sharma (capt)
2. Virat Kohli
3. Rishabh Pant (wk)
4. Suryakumar Yadav
5. Shivam Dube
6. Hardik Pandya
7. Axar Patel
8. Ravindra Jadeja
9. Arshdeep Singh
10. Kuldeep Yadav
11. Jasprit Bumrah

South Africa:

1. Quinton de Kock (wk)
2. Reeza Hendricks
3. Aiden Markram (capt)
4. Heinrich Klaasen
5. David Miller
6. Tristan Stubbs
7. Marco Jansen
8. Keshav Maharaj
9. Kagiso Rabada
10. Anrich Nortje
11. Tabraiz Shamsi