India ended their 13-year wait for an ICC T20 World Cup trophy with a nail-biting seven-run victory over South Africa in the final at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. The match, which swayed back and forth, saw India’s bowling attack ultimately prevail in a high-stakes showdown.
Chasing a target of 177, South Africa appeared well-positioned at 106 for 4 with 45 balls remaining, thanks to the steady batting of Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen. However, India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya turned the tide by dismissing Klaasen and David Miller, the latter thanks to a remarkable catch by Suryakumar Yadav. Jasprit Bumrah then delivered a crucial in-swinging ball to bowl out Marco Jansen, dismantling South Africa’s momentum.
Earlier, India’s innings had a rocky start with the quick dismissals of captain Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav within the first five overs. Yet, Virat Kohli anchored the innings with a stellar performance. Despite recent criticisms of his form, Kohli showcased his class, turning a shaky beginning into a solid 76 off 59 balls. His partnership with Axar Patel, who scored an aggressive 47 off 31 balls, helped stabilize India’s run rate. Patel’s contribution included four sixes and a four, lifting the team’s spirits and run rate before his departure.
Shivam Dube added a quick 27 from 16 balls, while South Africa’s bowlers had mixed results. Anrich Nortje was the standout with key wickets, but Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada struggled, conceding significant runs. Spinner Keshav Maharaj took two wickets, while Tabraiz Shamsi went wicketless.
Kohli’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award. In his post-match remarks, he announced his retirement from T20 internationals, expressing satisfaction at ending his T20 career with a World Cup win. He acknowledged the team’s long wait and numerous close calls in previous tournaments, making this victory particularly sweet.
This triumph not only marks India’s second T20 World Cup win but also ends a prolonged period of near-misses, solidifying their status as a dominant force in international cricket.
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