Historic Triumph! India's years-long wait ends , Men in Blue lifts T20 World Cup 2024 trophy
India wins T20 World Cup 2024 : In an electrifying final, India clinched the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 trophy, defeating South Africa with a stellar performance.
A fine exhibition of death bowling by trio of Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya and stupendous knocks by Virat Kohli and Axar Patel helped India end their ICC trophy drought, securing their second ICC T20 World Cup title by beating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final at Barbados on Saturday.
India years-long ICC trophy drought, winning their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013. India is the first team to have captured the title undefeated.
In the run chase of 177 runs, South Africa was off to a poor start as pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh struck early. While Bumrah cleaned up Reeza Hendricks for four runs, Arshdeep got skipper Aiden Markram got caught behind by Rishabh Pant for four runs as well. SA was 12/2 in 2.3 overs.
With a well-placed boundary against Kuldeep, SA reached the 50-run mark in 7.1 overs.
This counter-attacking partnership between Stubbs and de Kock ended with Axar getting the best of his Delhi Capitals (DC) teammate Stubbs for 31 in 21 balls, with three fours and a six. Proteas was 70/3 in 8.5 overs.
With a huge six by Klaasen on a Kuldeep Yadav delivery over extra cover, Proteas reached the 100-run mark in 11.3 overs.
After an onslaught on spinners, Arshdeep's pace ended the budding partnership between Klaasen and De Kock, dismissing de Kock as he looked to target the leg side with a pull shot following a boundary. Skipper Rohit Sharma got his catch for 39 in 31 balls, with four boundaries and a six. SA was 106/4 in 12.3 overs.
Pandya came and delivered for India the crucial wicket of Klaasen for 52 in 27 balls, with two fours and five sixes. He was caught behind by Pant. SA was 151/5 in 16.1 overs.
Hardik came to deliver the final over, getting the big wicket of Miler for 21 runs in 16 balls, with a four and six. Suryakumar Yadav took a fine catch near the boundary. Proteas was 161/7 in 19.1 overs, needing 16 runs in five balls. On the next ball, Rishabh dropped a catch, giving SA a boundary and leaving them with 12 runs in four balls. Singles came in the next two balls, leaving SA with 10 runs in two balls.
Pandya (3/20) was the pick of the bowlers for India. Bumrah (2/18) and Arshdeep (2/20) also did fine with the ball. Axar also took a wicket.
Axar Patel's blistering 47 and Virat Kohli's astonishing 76 extricated India from an uncertain position to help the 'Men in Blue' post 176/7 against South Africa in the final clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup at the Kensington Oval on Saturday.
The duo of Axar and Kohli helped India overcome a wobbly start after being reduced to 34/3 in the powerplay on a pitch that's on the slower side, while Shivam Dube played a lovely cameo of 27 runs off 16 balls. Meanwhile, India also posted the highest T20 World Cup total in the final's first innings.
Rohit Sharma started off Keshav Maharaj's over in a strong manner, however, India's super start was dented as the captain was caught while playing a sweep for 9 runs. In the same over, Maharaj piled on India's troubles by dismissing Rishabh Pant for a duck.
Axar Patel and Virat Kohli kept India steady after three quick wickets in the powerplay. Axar took the aggressive approach a couple of times, hitting one boundary and two sixes.
Kohli and Axar formed a vital partnership of 72 for the fourth wicket, but it was ended by a combination of poor running and exceptional fielding. De Kock picked up a gentle tap from Kohli and promptly threw it at the non-striker's end, where Axar was well out of his ground.
Coach Rahul Dravid's gamble to send No.5 Axar paid off as the all-rounder played a superb knock of 47 runs off just 31 balls, playing a main aggressor's knock in the partnership with Kohli as India rebuilt after three quick wickets in the powerplay.
With a six through the long on and then a boundary off a short ball against Rabada, Kohli slammed his first fifty of the tournament.
Brief score: India 176/7 (Virat Kohli 76, Axar Patel 47; Keshav Maharaj 2-23) defeat South Africa: 169/8 (Heinrich Klaasen 52, Quinton de Kock 39, Hardik Pandya 3/20).
With this victory, India has re-established itself as a powerhouse in international cricket. The team's focus will now shift to maintaining their form and consistency in upcoming series and tournaments.
- With inputs from agencies
