India vs South Africa: Who won yesterday’s 2024 T20 World Cup final?
India beat South Africa by seven runs in yesterday's ICC Men's 2024 T20 World Cup final at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados to end their 11-year jinx in ICC events. In a nail-biting encounter worthy of a final, both sided traded punches, but in the end it were the Men in Blue who held their nerves.
Chasing a target of 177, the Proteas looked set to clinch their maiden World Cup title, needing 26 off 24 balls. Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27), who had had slammed Axar Patel for two sixes and two fours in the 15th over, however, fell off the first ball of the 16th over. He was caught behind off Hardik Pandya (3-20), trying to go after a wide ball. The wicket proved to be the turning point in the final.
With the pressure back on South Africa, Jasprit Bumrah (2-18) knocked over Marco Jansen (2) with a sensational delivery that cleaned the batter through the gate. A brilliant 19th over by Arshdeep Singh, which went for only four, brought the equation 16 off the last over. Pandya held his nerve to close out the game.
David Miller (21 off 17), South Africa's last hope, fell to a superb juggling catch by Suryakumar Yadav on the ropes. Pandya conceded only eight runs in the last over as India got out of jail to lift the T20 World Cup, while South Africa once again choked on the big stage.
Earlier, India got off to a great start with the ball as Bumrah knocked over Reeza Hendricks (4) with a brute, while South African captain Aiden Markram (4) was caught behind off a wide delivery from Arshdeep. Quinton de Kock (39 off 31) and Tristan Stubbs (31 off 21) launched a counter-attack before the latter was bowled by Axar Patel.
De Kock also perished in his endeavor to take on Arshdeep. However, Klaasen played a brilliant knock to put the Proteas on course for World Cup glory. He, however, couldn't see them through as India clawed their way back to clinch their first World Cup title since winning the 2011 ODI edition at home.
Virat Kohli stands tall in the final for Team India
In the build up to the final, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid had expressed their confidence in Virat Kohli coming good on the big day. Kohli had been woefully short of runs heading into the 2024 T20 World Cup final, but scored when it mattered the most.
Batting first after winning the toss, India lost Rohit (9), Rishabh Pant (0) and Suryakumar (3) cheaply to stumble to 34-3. Kohli (76 off 59) and Axar Patel (47 off 31) then added 72 for the fourth wicket. Axar played the aggresor in the partnership as Kohli held one end up.
Kohli took charge after Axar's run out and played some fine strokes. He ended up hitting six fours and two sixes in a game-defining knock. Shivam Dube, who had struggled for most part of the tournament, also came to the party, scoring a crucial 27 off only 16 balls.
India vs South Africa: Who won Player of the Match in yesterday's 2024 T20 World Cup final
Kohli was terrific with the bat for India in the T20 World Cup final, while Axar played a crucial knock after being promoted in the order. With the ball, Bumrah was outstanding, while Arshdeep and Pandya were brilliant.
For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje claimed two wickets each. In the chase, Klaasen scored a stunning fifty in a losing cause.
Kohli was named Player of the Final for his excellent knock under pressure, while Bumrah was named Player of the Series for his exceptional bowling performances right through the T20 World Cup.