Team India finally ended their decade-long wait for an ICC trophy by clinching the T20 World Cup 2024, defeating South Africa in a thrilling final in Barbados on June 29. Captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. However, India faced early setbacks as Rohit was dismissed after scoring just 9 runs. The top order struggled, with Rishabh Pant (0) and Suryakumar Yadav (3) departing cheaply. Amidst the early losses, Virat Kohli stood firm, anchoring the innings.
Kohli found a reliable partner in Axar Patel, who played a crucial knock. Patel scored a quickfire 47, featuring 4 sixes and a boundary, and together they added 72 runs for the fourth wicket. Kohli’s brilliant 76 off 59 balls, decorated with 6 fours and 2 sixes, steered Team India to a competitive total of 176/7 in their allotted 20 overs. South African bowlers Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje each took two wickets to keep the game balanced.
WATCH – Emotional Triumph: Virat, Rohit, Hardik Couldn’t Control Their Tears
In reply, South Africa’s innings got off to a rocky start with the loss of early wickets. Quinton de Kock held his ground, scoring 39 runs, but it was Tristan Stubbs (31) and Heinrich Klaasen (52) who revived South Africa’s hopes. Klaasen’s aggressive approach saw him hammer 24 runs off a single over from Axar Patel, bringing South Africa back into contention.
However, India’s bowlers staged a remarkable comeback. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh delivered under pressure, effectively choking the South African batting lineup. Pandya was the standout bowler, taking 3/20, while Bumrah and Singh contributed with two wickets each. In the end, Team India secured a hard-fought victory by 7 runs.
WATCH – Virat Kohli Announces Retirement From T20Is After T20 World Cup Triumph
Virat Kohli was named Player of the Final for his match-winning knock, and he used the occasion to announce his retirement from T20I cricket. Jasprit Bumrah was awarded Player of the Tournament for his consistent performances throughout the competition. The victory sparked widespread celebration and praise for the Indian team across social media, marking a historic moment in Indian cricket as they lifted the T20 World Cup trophy once again.
Every star added to the Team India jersey inspires our nation’s starry-eyed children to move one step closer to their dreams. India gets the 4th star, our second in @T20WorldCup.
Life comes full circle for Indian cricket in the West Indies. From our lows in the 2007 ODI World… pic.twitter.com/HMievynpsE
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 29, 2024
What a final!!! Congrats, India, and well played, South Africa. Super World Cup… let us have more cricket in the West Indies and USA!!
— Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) June 29, 2024
what a game, could barely breathe, everything that makes sports incredible. Congrats India, so well deserved! SA was incredible. Amazing #WorldT20
— Sundar Pichai (@sundarpichai) June 29, 2024
Great players. Great for India. What a moment to say goodbye to T20 internationals. pic.twitter.com/AUbPUn8rAg
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 29, 2024
Well done, @JayShah. Your new name is Jay Nostradamus Shah. You appointed @ImRo45 captain 4 months ago and predicted India will lift the cup today. pic.twitter.com/IJqyCxGpUl
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) June 30, 2024
Bumrah unbelievable, congrats India
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) June 29, 2024
Incredible catch to win India the World Cup .. Absolutely fantastic final .. India have been the best team so throughly deserve the win .. SA have not been far behind though .. Brilliant World Cup ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 29, 2024
Congratulations to you @ImRo45 and team 🇮🇳 on winning the #T20WorldCup
Well played 🇿🇦 👏 pic.twitter.com/maVba8YQF0
— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) June 29, 2024
Great players rise above others in crunch situations. @imVkohli Played a magnificent knock (no doubt) but the two overs from @Jaspritbumrah93 at the end was pure World Cup winner. Congratulations 🙌 Team India and @ImRo45 @cricketworldcup #Champions 🏆 pic.twitter.com/K3tFTDQ7Ot
— Waqar Younis (@waqyounis99) June 29, 2024
Congratulations India 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
I thought SA had it there.
What an over(Bumrah). What a catch(SKY). Nice for Hardik. Awesome for Rohit. What about that for Kohli?!
It was so so close. Worthy of a final.
On to the next.
— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) June 29, 2024
Really glad for the likes of Rohit, Virat, Dravid, Jadeja who may not feature again in a World Cup. To finish on that note (if it’s the end) is well deserved and fitting.
— Mitchell McClenaghan (@Mitch_Savage) June 29, 2024
Congratulations to India on winning the #ICCT20CWC2024 First team to do it unbeaten in the tournament. Special special special moment. So many great narratives. South Africa’s time will come in future.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 29, 2024
Huge congratulations India. It was South Africa’s for the taking but 🇮🇳 held their nerve under tremendous pressure. Kohli, Patel, Dube with the bat, Bumrah, Singh and Pandya with the ball and SKY what a catch #T20IWorldCup
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) June 29, 2024