The date June 29, 2024 remains forever etched into the minds of Indian cricket fans all around the world as the Men In Blue under Rohit Sharma's leadership lifted the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy after a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final, held at the iconic Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.
The win also ended Team India's 17-year trophy drought. The victory also served as a grand farewell for two legends of the game Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both of whom retired from T20 internationals following the final. Their exit couldn’t have been scripted more perfectly, leaving the game on the back of a World Cup win.
Head coach Rahul Dravid also concluded his coaching tenure with this crowning achievement. Years of heartbreak missed opportunities in the knockouts and an early exit in 2021 were finally washed away
Virat Kohli anchors India's innings
Electing to bat first, India faced early setbacks with Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant all dismissed for single-digit scores. The innings was steadied by a crucial 72-run partnership between Virat Kohli and Axar Patel.
Axar played the aggressor’s role, smashing 47 off just 31 balls with one boundary and four sixes before being run out. Kohli, in his final T20I innings, held the innings together with a composed 76 from 59 balls, including six fours and two sixes.
Shivam Dube provided a late boost with a quickfire 27 from 16 deliveries, helping India post a competitive total of 176 for 7 in their 20 overs. For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje picked up two wickets apiece.
Suryakumar Yadav seals the deal for India
South Africa’s chase kept spectators on edge. Quinton de Kock (39) and Tristan Stubbs (31) kept the chase alive, and with 54 runs needed from the last six overs, the game was finely poised.
Heinrich Klaasen threatened to turn the tide completely, hammering Axar for 24 runs in the 15th over and racing to a 23-ball half-century. With 30 needed from the final five overs, South Africa seemed to be in control.
But India staged a stunning comeback. The momentum shifted when Suryakumar Yadav took a brilliant catch at long-off to dismiss David Miller, who was on 21. That moment swung the pendulum back in India’s favor.
Tasked with defending 16 in the final over, Hardik Pandya held his nerve. He delivered under pressure, conceding just singles and securing India’s long-awaited second T20 World Cup title.
