On Saturday (June 29), Rohit Sharma-led India beat South Africa by 7 runs to clinch the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. With this, they won their second T20 World Cup and first since 2007. However, India also became the third team to win the T20 World Cup twice after West Indies and England. Batting first, India lost three quick wickets inside five overs, courtesy of Keshav Maharaj’s stunning show, dismissing Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant in the second over whereas Kagiso Rabada removed Suryakumar Yadav in the fifth over to reduce India to 34 for 3 as well.
Virat Kohli and Axar Patel then steadied the ship with a crucial 72-run stand. Kohli, who had managed to score only 75 runs in 7 games before the final, returned to form just when the team needed it. He smashed 76 runs with the help of 6 fours and 2 sixes to help India recover from a shaky start to post a competitive total of 176 for 7 as well. In reply, South Africa got off to a poor start as well as they lost 2 wickets for just 12 runs.
However, South Africa soon recovered and returned to the game after Heinrich Klaasen’s swashbuckling fifty. They were on 151 for 4 after 16 overs and needed only 25 runs from the last 24 balls with the likes of Klaasen and David Miller in the middle as well. However, Indian bowlers had a different plan as they bounced back in the last four overs to seal the deal for India. South Africa eventually ended their innings on 169 for 8 after Hardik Pandya defended 15 runs in the final over with ease.
— Kirkit Expert (@expert42983) June 29, 2024
Meanwhile, emotions ran high after India registered a memorable win. The players including the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya were seen in tears after the game. And, Captain Rohit Sharma was also seen kissing Hardik Pandya while the latter was being interviewed by the host broadcaster as well. Rohit kissed Pandya on the cheek before both the teams embraced each other as well.
Rohit Sharma, India Captain said: “Very hard to sum up what we have been through for the last 3-4 years. To be honest, we worked very hard as individuals and as a team a team, lot has gone on behind the scenes for us to be here today and win this game. It is not what we did today, it is what we have been doing for the last 3-4 years. That’s the the result that has come for us today. We have played lots of high pressure games in the past as well and have been on the wrong side as well. But the guys understand what needs to be done. Today was the perfect example of when the back is against the wall, what is required.”
