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The image of MS Dhoni lifting the inaugural T20 World Cup trophy in 2007 is forever imprinted in the minds of Indian cricket fans. On June 29, 2024, that image was revived when another Indian captain broke a 17-year drought to claim the T20 World Cup once again. The final against South Africa was filled with emotions. With just 30 runs needed from the last 30 balls, the memories of India’s painful defeat in the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia resurfaced. But this time, fate had a different story. A combination of grit, teamwork, and the collective hopes of millions shifted the momentum in India’s favor. The night became one to remember!
The focus on June 29, 2024, was squarely on Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, where India and South Africa faced off in the T20 World Cup final.India earned their place with a dominant 68-run win over England in the semi-finals, while South Africa secured a 9-wicket victory after easily overcoming Afghanistan. For India, the match represented a chance to end a decade-long wait for an ICC trophy. For South Africa, it was an opportunity to silence the critics and shake off the “Chokers” label.
India won the toss and chose to bat. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, their experienced openers, walked out to the crease. The innings started explosively, with 23 runs coming off the first 8 balls. Hopes for a big total were high, but Rohit’s aggressive attempt to sweep resulted in Heinrich Klaasen catching the ball, and he was out for 9 runs off 5 balls. Shortly after, Rishabh Pant went out for a golden duck, and India found themselves at 23/2 after just two overs.
Fans hoped for a steadying partnership when Suryakumar Yadav joined Virat Kohli, but the pressure quickly mounted as Kagiso Rabada dismissed Suryakumar for just 3 runs off 4 balls. With India at 34/3, the early momentum vanished, and Kohli found himself tasked with holding the innings together. In a surprising move, captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid promoted Axar Patel up the order. Axar responded by taking on the South African bowlers with aggressive intent.
India reached 100 runs in the 13th over, largely thanks to Axar’s bold batting, while Kohli continued to play a patient, steady role. Just as Axar looked ready for a well-earned fifty, a mix-up on the third ball of the 14th over resulted in a run-out on an overthrow. His knock of 47 off 31 balls came to an end. India’s score stood at 106/4, and the pressure intensified once again.
Kohli, now well-set, reached his half-century off 48 balls and shifted gears. Alongside Shivam Dube, who contributed a quick 27 off 16 balls, the two added vital runs to the total. Kohli’s composed 76 off 59 balls anchored the innings and guided India to a competitive total of 176/7 in 20 overs. South Africa faced a challenging chase, with the pitch providing some initial movement for the pacers.
Jasprit Bumrah struck early in South Africa’s chase, clean bowling Reeza Hendricks for just 4 runs. In the next over, Arshdeep Singh piled on the pressure by dismissing captain Aiden Markram for the same score. With South Africa at 14/2 after three overs, they found themselves in a tough spot. However, Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs took control and rebuilt the innings with steady and intelligent batting.
South Africa reached 62/2 by the end of the 8th over. This gave their chase a glimmer of hope.. However, just as the partnership between de Kock and Stubbs began to grow in confidence, Rohit Sharma turned to his trusted spinner, Axar Patel. In the 9th over, Axar responded by dismissing Stubbs for a quick-fire 31 off 21 balls. South Africa was now 71/3, but the game was far from over. Heinrich Klaasen walked in and joined de Kock. Together, they picked up the pace and took the score to 101/3 in just 12 overs.
Rohit, known for his tactical sharpness, brought Arshdeep Singh back into the attack. Arshdeep made an immediate impact. He got de Kock caught on the boundary for 39 off 31 balls. With the score at 109/4 in the 13th over, the pressure returned to South Africa. They needed 54 from 36 balls, and Rohit called upon Axar Patel to handle the dangerous Klaasen and Miller. But Klaasen had different plans. He unleashed a brutal assault on Axar, hitting 24 runs off a single over. This left just 30 runs to be scored from 30 balls.
South Africa appeared to be in control after Axar Patel’s expensive over, needing just 30 runs from 30 balls with two well-set batters at the crease. It seemed like the game was slipping away from India, but Rohit Sharma turned to his key bowler, Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah responded with a brilliant 16th over and conceded only 4 runs. Meanwhile, Heinrich Klaasen reached a well-earned half-century.
Before the 17th over, play halted for a moment when Rishabh Pant suffered a knee niggle, causing an unexpected pause. Hardik Pandya capitalized on the break and removed the dangerous Klaasen for 52 off 27 balls with his first delivery.
South Africa now stood at 151/4, and their situation worsened when Bumrah dismissed Marco Jansen for just 2 runs off 4 balls. With 20 runs required from the last 2 overs, the pressure mounted. Arshdeep Singh stayed calm and gave away only 4 runs in the 19th over. The equation was now 16 runs from the final 6 balls, with South Africa needing to score big in the closing moments to claim their first T20 World Cup title.
The responsibility of bowling the final over fell to Hardik Pandya, with Rohit Sharma trusting him to deliver in the crucial moments. South Africa’s powerful finisher, David Miller, stood on strike. The first ball increased the tension as Hardik bowled a low full toss, and Miller sent it soaring towards long-off. For a moment, it seemed certain to clear the boundary, but Suryakumar Yadav had other ideas. He raced from wide long-off, leaped high, and snatched the ball just inches from the rope. He flicked the ball back into play in one swift motion before tumbling over. He completed the catch as he got back on his feet, pulling off a remarkable save.
Hardik Pandya kept his composure with 15 runs needed from the last 5 balls. He struck a decisive blow by dismissing Kagiso Rabada on the penultimate delivery. South Africa fell 7 runs short, and as the final wicket was taken, the Indian team erupted in celebration. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and the entire squad embraced, overcome with emotion after clinching a historic victory. The crowd roared as India lifted the T20 World Cup after 17 years. Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match for his composed 76-run knock, while Rohit Sharma etched his name in history as the World Cup-winning captain.
More news and historical updates on cricket can be found on the official TCNI website: https://tcni.in/. 

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