How many times have India qualified for the Men's T20 World Cup final?
Team India defeated England by a massive 68 runs in Guyana to book their place in the 2024 T20 World Cup final on Thursday, June 27. They will take on South Africa in the summit clash at Barbados on June 29. Both teams have been unbeaten thus far in the tournament.
It was the third time the Men in Blue qualified for a T20 World Cup final in nine editions. India played in the final of the inaugural tournament in 2007, defeating Pakistan by five runs to win their lone T20 World Cup title.
Team India had to wait another seven years before advancing to a T20 World Cup final in 2014. However, they were undone by Asian neighbors, Sri Lanka, who pulled off a six-wicket win.
Since their last final appearance in 2014, Team India lost in the semi-final in 2016 and 2022 and were eliminated before the final four in 2021. Rohit Sharma's Men qualified for the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup final last year but suffered defeats in both.
Should India triumph against South Africa in the final of the ongoing T20 World Cup, it will be their first ICC title since the 2013 Champions Trophy.
"Staying composed helps you make good decisions" - Rohit Sharma
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma admitted that the side remaining calm throughout the tournament has helped them make good decisions at key moments of games.
The Asian giants produced a masterclass against defending champions England in the semi-final to qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup final. Rohit top-scored with a sublime 39-ball 57 to propel India to an above-par 171/7 in 20 overs.
In reply, England folded for a mere 103 in 16.4 overs, resulting in a 68-run win for the Indians.
At the post-match presentation, Rohit said:
"Very satisfying to win this game. We worked really hard as a unit. To win this game like that was a great effort from everyone. We adapted to the conditions really well. It was a challenge and we adapted. We played the conditions really well. We have been very calm as a team.
"We understand the occasion (final). Staying composed helps you make good decisions. That'll help us making the game through. You got to play good cricket. That's what we want to do in the final."
India also avenged their 10-wicket loss to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final with this win.
Meanwhile, their final opponent South Africa have never played in a summit clash of a World Cup.