2 mistakes and 1 masterstroke by India in the 2024 T20 World Cup Final vs South Africa
South Africa needed 30 runs off 30 balls, with Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller at the crease. They got through the first Jasprit Bumrah over unscathed, but it all went downhill from there as the Proteas fell seven runs short of their maiden T20 World Cup title.
It was a glorious day for Rohit Sharma's India at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados as they clinched their first piece of ICC silverware in over a decade. It also served as a bit of a boost after the disappointment they endured in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023.
The 2024 T20 World Cup final was a see-saw clash, with both sides making a variety of game-changing decisions. Some paid off for the champions, while others nearly contributed to yet another final heartbreak.
On that note, here are two mistakes and one masterstroke made by India in their 2024 T20 World Cup clash against South Africa.
#3 Mistake - The 6th over of the second innings should've been bowled by Arshdeep Singh
India started off superbly in the powerplay, with Jasprit Bumrah prising out Reeza Hendricks with a beauty and Arshdeep Singh inducing an edge from Aiden Markram.
In the sixth over, usually bowled by Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma decided to toss the ball to Kuldeep Yadav, who hadn't bowled in the powerplay in the 2024 T20 World Cup prior to that. The left-arm wrist-spinner bowled a disappointing over as he was either too full or too short.
Arshdeep should've been a third to put the squeeze on the South African batters. Even Hardik would've been a better option than Kuldeep. That would've helped Rohit marshal his resources in the middle overs with more ease.
#2 Masterstroke - Axar Patel's promotion worked wonders
Axar Patel was sent up to No. 5 after India lost three wickets in the first five overs of the contest. The Men in Blue have tried that before in T20 World Cups, and it has rarely worked. This time, though, it clicked.
Axar struck four sixes in an excellent knock to keep India on course for a par total even as Virat Kohli struggled to up the ante at the other end. The southpaw took on spin and found the boundary whenever the team went through a dry patch.
India lengthened their batting and used the right player as a floater. The tactical move played a massive role in them coming out on top.
#1 Mistake - Rohit Sharma bowled Axar Patel to a set Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller
There wasn't much spin on offer. The pitch had a fair amount of bounce, making Axar Patel's deliveries sit up nicely. David Miller has an excellent head-to-head record against the left-arm spinner. Heinrich Klaasen is one of the most destructive batters against spin.
There were so many reasons why Rohit shouldn't have thrown the ball to Axar for the 15th over. But he did, and it nearly cost India the game. They could've bowled just pace to complete the remaining six overs, but the captain decided to persist with spin.
It was a terrible decision. Bumrah and Co. saved the skipper from a ton of criticism.