Bridgetown, Barbados: In a dramatic and nerve-wracking final, India emerged victorious over South Africa by a narrow margin of seven runs to claim the 2024 T20 World Cup title. The high-stakes encounter, played at the iconic Kensington Oval, witnessed a rollercoaster of emotions before India finally secured their second T20 World Cup crown.
Virat Kohli, who had endured a challenging tournament, rose to the occasion with a stellar 76-run knock, leading India to a competitive 176 on the board. However, South Africa displayed tremendous fightback, with Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive 52 almost single-handedly taking the Proteas to the brink of victory.
South Africa’s chase seemed well on track, with contributions from Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs before Klaasen unleashed a whirlwind of boundaries. However, India’s bowling attack, led by the ever-reliable Jasprit Bumrah and a crucial catch by Suryakumar Yadav in the final over, managed to restrict them to 169 runs, falling just short of the target.
Hardik Pandya emerged as India’s bowling hero, claiming three wickets for just 20 runs. This victory marks a significant moment for India, ending their 11-year wait for an ICC trophy and proving their dominance in the T20 format.