Picture : BCCI/ X
India finally broke their 11 year ICC trophy jinx as they won the 2024 T20 World Cup by beating South Africa By 7 runs in a thrilling final at Barbados, Kensington Oval .
India had won the first ever T20 World Cup in 2007 inn South Africa. And the last ICC trophy was the 2013 Champions Trophy in England .
Earlier on rather surprising sunny day given the numerous rain stoppages in the tournament , India Skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first without any hesitation whatsoever . India began well with 15 off the first over by Marco Jansen . Raced to 23 in two overs when Rohit in fine form fell to sweep shot to Keshav Maharaj. Rishabh Pant fell early without disturbing the score board for ( 0). India were jolted. In- from Suryakumar Yadav ( 3) out to brilliant catch by Klaasen off Rabada. India tottering in power plays 34 / 3 in 4. 3 overs.
Sent up the batting order by Rahul Dravid Axar Patel was positive from the start. India needed some wone to stay with a watchful and determined Virat Kohli. Kohli had run of poor scores coming into the final yet Skipper Rohit and Head coach Dravid backed him and his sheer class . Axar gave the innings the momentum and the fight back . He was run- out but not before scoring a vital 47 ( 31 balls, 1 four, 4 sixes).
Virat was solid on the other hand . Anchoring the innings and batting according to situation. And Virat got tohis first fifty of the tournament . And when he was out he had made a masterly 76 ( 59 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes). Tall Shivam Dube hit some useful blows in his quick 27 ( 16 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) . Hardik Pandya not out 5 and Ravindra Jadeja out for 2 ( last man out) saw India did not lose any further wickets and India reaching a fighting 176/ 7 in their 20 overs.
The South Africa bowling figures : Marco Jansen 1/ 49 ( 4 overs) , Keshav Maharaj 2/ 23 ( 3 overs), Kagiso Rabada 1/ 36 ( 4 overs), Aiden Markram 0/ 16 ( 2 overs), Anrich Nortje 2/ 26 ( 4 overs) , Tabraiz Shamsi 0/ 26 ( 3 overs)
In reply South Africa , Opener Reeza Hendricks ( 4) was bowled by a beauty from Jasprit Bumrah. Skipper Aiden Markram too fell on the big match to Arshdeep Singh ( 4). South Africa were rocked early. Quinton de Kock was looking dangerous in his attacking 39 ( 31 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) but mistimed a pull- shot to Kuldeep Off Arshdeep Singh. Tristan Stubbs too was in attacking mode scoring 31 ( 21 balls, 3 fours, 1 six) but could not carry on . Bowled by Axar Patel . India were on track .
Known for his brutal power Heinrich Klaasen scored a blistering 52 ( 27 balls , 2 fours , 5 sixes) including 24 runs in one over by Axar Patel. South Africa were back on the hunt. He chased a wide ball from Hardik Pandya and ended by giving Rishabh Pant an easy catch. Proteas hopes now rested on David Miller . In between Jasprit Bumrah gave India further hope as he Dismissed Marco Janden with a ripper for 2.
Miller was running out of partners. Miller scored 21 ( 17 balls , 1 four, 1 six) but was out dramatically in the last over by sensational boundary line- catch by Suryakumar Yadav with SA needing 16 off the last over by Hardik Pandya. Before the final over the equation was for South Africa 20 off 12 . Arshdeep bowled superb spell giving away just 4 runs before Hardik over .
Kagiso Rabada was out for ( 4) caught by SKY off Pandya. India were moments away. Keshav Maharaj Not out 2 and Anrich Nortje not out 1 could not see Proteas over the line managing to reach 168/ 8 in their 20 overs. SA had match in their hands but once again let it slip. Reaction from the dressing room after loss was one of despair. Payers teary eyed. David Miller breaking down. So too others. It was so near yet so far.
India clinching a historic win by 7 runs. Hardik Pandya who was booed right through the IPL 2024 as he replaced Rohit Sharma as Mumbai Indians skipper was India’s hero as he delivered in the final over to see India home.
India bowling figures : Arshdeep Singh 2/ 20 ( 4 overs), Jasprit Bumrah brilliant 2/ 18 ( 4 overs) , Axar Patel 1/ 49 ( 4 overs) off day with ball but shone with the bat. Kuldeep Yadav too had a rather off day 0/ 45 ( 4 overs) . Hardik Pandya 3/ 20 ( 3 overs) was brilliant . Ravindra Jadeja 0/ 12 ( 1 over)
India’s win was much need for Skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid who overcame the disappointment of losing the ICC 2023 50 over World Cup final to Australia Ahmedabad on November 19th 2023 .
Fittingly both legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced decision to retire from the T20Internattional format after the win. Head coach batting legend Rahul Dravid too leaves in style . His tenure was till the T20 World Cup 2024 .
Match: T20 World Cup, Final
Venue: Barbados | Date: June 29, 2024
Player of the Match: Virat Kohli
Player of the Series: Jasprit Bumrah
