On this day in 2024, India’s men’s cricket team lifted their second ICC T20 World Cup trophy. They defeated South Africa by just seven runs in a thrilling final at Bridgetown, Barbados.
It was India’s first T20 World Cup title since winning the inaugural edition in 2007. The win ended a long wait of 17 years for the coveted title.
The match was filled with tense moments. But the Rohit Sharma-led side held their nerves and came out on top in the key phases. They looked calm in crunch situations and won many small battles that eventually led to the big win.
After winning the toss, Rohit chose to bat first. But India had a poor start. Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav were dismissed early. India were reduced to 34/3 in just 4.3 overs.
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At that point, South Africa were in complete control. A couple more wickets and India could have been bowled out cheaply.
Kohli and Axar turn the tide
Virat Kohli and Axar Patel then rescued India with a brilliant 92-run stand for the fourth wicket. They added those runs in just nine overs. The decision to promote Axar up the order worked well. He played a counter-attacking knock of 47 from 31 balls.
Kohli stayed steady at the other end. He later shared another 57-run stand for the fifth wicket. He finally got out after scoring 76 off 59 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes.
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Thanks to those two key partnerships, India posted a competitive total of 176/7 in 20 overs.
Kohli rises on the biggest stage
Before the final, Kohli had a poor tournament. He had scored just 75 runs in seven innings. Many fans were shocked by those numbers, especially for a player of his class.
But in the final, when his team needed him most, he delivered. His 76-run knock came in a winning cause and earned him the Player of the Match award.
India’s Bowlers hold their nerve
While defending 176, India had a dream start. Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Reeza Hendricks for 4. Arshdeep Singh got the big wicket of Aiden Markram, also for 4.
But South Africa then built momentum. Quinton de Kock scored 39 off 31 balls. Tristan Stubbs added 31 off 21. At 151/4 in 16 overs, South Africa needed just 26 runs from 24 balls. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller were well set. The game seemed to be slipping away.
Pandya, Bumrah, and Arshdeep deliver under pressure
In the 17th over, Hardik Pandya turned the match. He dismissed Klaasen and gave away only four runs. Rohit then brought back Bumrah, who bowled his last over and gave away just two runs. He also got the wicket of Marco Jansen.
In the 19th over, Arshdeep bowled brilliantly and conceded only four runs. That left South Africa needing 16 runs from the final six balls.
A Catch to Remember: Surya’s brilliance seals it
Rohit trusted Pandya with the final over. David Miller was on strike. On the very first ball, Pandya bowled a wide full toss. Miller went for the big shot. But Suryakumar Yadav pulled off a stunning catch near the boundary.
Surya ran from wide long-off, caught the ball, and managed to stay inside the rope. It was one of the greatest catches ever seen in a final. That moment crushed South Africa’s hopes, and India were crowned T20 World Champions once again.
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