India clinched their second T20 World Cup title in dramatic fashion, defeating South Africa by 7 runs in a nail-biting final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on June 30, 2024. The victory ended India’s 13-year wait for a global trophy since their triumph in the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup.
Batting first, India posted a competitive 179/5 in their 20 overs, thanks to a vintage innings of 76 runs from talismanic batter Virat Kohli. Axar Patel (34) and Hardik Pandya (25*) also made valuable contributions. For South Africa, Anrich Nortje was the pick of the bowlers with 3/32.In reply, South Africa were cruising at 142/3 in the 16th over, needing just 38 runs off 24 balls with 7 wickets in hand. However, a brilliant fightback from the Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya, turned the match on its head. South Africa eventually finished on 172/8, falling short by 7 runs.
The win capped off an unbeaten campaign for India, who became the first team in T20 World Cup history to win the tournament without losing a single match. They won 8 out of their 9 games, with one match washed out.
The final was a fitting end to an emotional tournament for India. Veteran openers Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli both announced their retirement from T20 Internationals after the match, with Kohli also being named Player of the Match for his crucial knock.
Pandya, who bowled the final over, collapsed to the ground in tears of joy after the winning moment, before being lifted up by his teammates in wild celebrations BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced a massive ₹125 crore prize money for the victorious team.
For South Africa, it was yet another heartbreaking loss in a major ICC event. Heinrich Klaasen’s 52 off 27 balls had put them on course for victory, but their lower order crumbled under pressure. Captain Temba Bavuma was left inconsolable at the end
The 2024 T20 World Cup will be remembered for the spirited performances by the ICC associate nations, the tournament’s foray into the USA, and the resurgence of cricket in the Caribbean. But in the end, it was India’s day as they finally ended their long wait for a global trophy.
