Kensington Oval, Barbados – June 29th, 2024: After an 11-year wait, cricket fans in India erupted in jubilation as their national team clinched the ICC T20 World Cup trophy, defeating South Africa by a thrilling margin of 7 runs in a pulsating final at the historic Kensington Oval in Barbados. The historic victory played at the iconic Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, marks the end of an 11-year wait for an ICC title for the Men in Blue.
Final Scorecard
India: 176/7 (20 overs)
South Africa: 169/8 (20 overs)
India won by 7 runs.
A Match of Grit and Resilience
India, led by captain Rohit Sharma, opted to bat first after winning the toss. However, the start wasn’t ideal as they lost wickets early. The experience of Virat Kohli (76 off 59 balls) steadied the ship. His knock, laced with 6 fours and 3 sixes, provided much-needed stability to the innings. Wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant (34 off 28 balls) chipped in with a valuable cameo before India finished with 176/7.
South Africa’s chase began brightly with openers Quinton de Kock (28 off 21 balls) and Aiden Markram (37 off 39 balls) putting on a 50-run partnership. However, the Indian bowling attack, led by the ever-dependable Jasprit Bumrah (2/18) and the in-form Hardik Pandya (3/20), struck back at crucial junctures. The middle order faltered for the Proteas, leaving the onus on David Miller (42 off 30 balls) and Heinrich Klaasen (48 off 29 balls) to take them home.
Needing 29 off the last 12 balls, the pressure told on the Proteas as Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh held their nerve to seal a famous victory for India. Pandya was the star with the ball, finishing with figures of 4-0-22-3.
The tension was palpable as South Africa needed just 30 runs from the last 3 overs with 4 wickets in hand. However, a sensational catch by Suryakumar Yadav to dismiss Miller in the 18th over and Bumrah’s dismissal of Dwaine Pretorius in the 19th over tilted the balance back in India’s favour. Chasing a stiff 19 off the final over proved too much for South Africa, and India emerged victorious.
Key moments that turned the game around
There were three key moments that turned the T20 World Cup final between India and South Africa in India’s favour:
- Virat Kohli’s match-defining innings of 76 off 59 balls: After India lost their top order cheaply, Kohli steadied the innings and went on to top-score for his team. His knock lifted India to a competitive total of 176/7.
- Hardik Pandya’s double strike in the 17th over: With South Africa cruising at 106/4 and needing just 71 runs off 45 balls, Pandya removed the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller quickly to put India back in the game.
- Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning catch to dismiss Miller: With 16 needed off the final over, Miller nearly hit the first ball for a six, but Yadav pulled off a brilliant catch at long-off. Had he not taken that catch, South Africa would have needed just 10 off 5 balls with Miller on strike.
These three moments – Kohli’s batting heroics, Pandya’s bowling brilliance, and Yadav’s fielding brilliance – proved to be the turning points as India snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to win their second T20 World Cup title.
Significance of Suryakumar Yadav’s catch
Suryakumar Yadav’s catch of David Miller in the final over of the T20 World Cup final was a crucial turning point that helped India clinch the title against South Africa.
With South Africa needing 16 runs off the final over to win, Miller launched Hardik Pandya’s delivery straight down the ground. Suryakumar Yadav, stationed at long-off, sprinted to his left and dived full length to catch the ball. However, there was controversy over whether his foot touched the boundary rope while taking the catch.
After a quick glance, the third umpire ruled that the catch was clean, and Miller was dismissed. Many fans and experts felt the decision was hastily made and that the replay should have been scrutinized more closely.
Nonetheless, Suryakumar’s brilliant effort in the field was the defining moment of the match. Had Miller not been dismissed, South Africa would have needed just 10 runs off 5 balls with their dangerous hitter on strike.
The catch caught off an outstanding tournament for Suryakumar, one of India’s standout performers with both bat and in the field. His athleticism and composure under pressure were instrumental in India ending their 13-year ICC title drought.
While the legality of the catch remains a talking point, its significance in swinging the final in India’s favor and helping them lift their second T20 World Cup trophy cannot be denied.
Celebration Time in India
The Indian dressing room erupted in a frenzy as the final wicket fell. Scenes of jubilation unfolded across the country, with fans celebrating in streets, homes, and cricket grounds. Captain Rohit Sharma, visibly emotional, dedicated the win to the fans who had supported the team throughout the tournament.
A Wave of Blue in India
Every star added to the Team India jersey inspires our nation’s starry-eyed children to move one step closer to their dreams. India gets the 4th star, our second in @T20WorldCup.
Life comes full circle for Indian cricket in the West Indies. From our lows in the 2007 ODI World… pic.twitter.com/HMievynpsE
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) June 29, 2024
India erupted in a sea of blue as fans poured into the streets, their faces painted in the national colours and the tricolour flag held high. Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata witnessed jubilant crowds chanting, “India, India!” Fireworks lit up the night sky while celebratory honking filled the air. Pubs and restaurants overflowed with cheering fans, many decked out in their team jerseys. Social media went into overdrive, with congratulatory messages and victory memes flooding every platform.
Scenes of Elation in India
- Streets Painted Blue: Cricket-crazy India erupted in a joyous frenzy. Major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata witnessed a sea of fans thronging the streets, waving the tricolour and chanting “India, India!” Fireworks lit up the night sky, and celebrations spilled over into homes and public places.
- Euphoria in Bengaluru: Fans in Bengaluru, known for their passionate support, thronged pubs and restaurants, dancing to the beats of dhol drums and celebrating with unrestrained joy.
- A Night to Remember: Social media overflowed with congratulatory messages and jubilant posts, with #TeamIndia and #T20WorldCupChampions trending at the top.
Virat Kohli Announces Retirement
In a post-match interview, Virat Kohli, who was adjudged Player of the Match for his match-winning knock, announced his retirement from T20 cricket. He expressed his desire to focus on ODI and Test cricket, aiming to win the upcoming World Cup in 2027.
A Fitting Farewell
The announcement came after India’s thrilling win over South Africa by just 7 runs. Kohli, who was named Player of the Match for his crucial knock of 76 runs, shared his decision during the post-match presentation ceremony.
Focus on Other Formats
Kohli, now 35 years old, hinted that this decision would allow him to focus on excelling in Test and ODI cricket. He acknowledged the need for the next generation to take the mantle in the T20 format, stating, “There are some amazing players playing in India, and it’s time for them to take over.”
An Open Secret
Interestingly, Kohli revealed that his retirement plans were not entirely unexpected. He called it “an open secret,” suggesting he had discussed his intentions with close confidantes within the team.
A Legacy in T20Is
Kohli retires from T20 Internationals as a legend of the format. He finishes his career with an impressive record, amassing over 4,188 runs in 125 matches with a healthy strike rate of 137. His contribution to Indian cricket, particularly in the shorter formats, has been immense.
Looking Ahead
Kohli’s decision to step away from T20Is allows younger talents to shine. While his presence will certainly be missed in the shortest format, fans can look forward to his continued dominance in Test and ODI cricket.
Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja Retirements T20
Rohit Sharma and his teammate Ravindra Jadeja did indeed retire from T20 International cricket. They both announced their retirements after India’s victory at the T20 World Cup 2024.
Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian team, confirmed his retirement in the post-match press conference. He expressed his delight at winning the World Cup and stated that this was the perfect moment to escape from the T20 format.
Ravindra Jadeja, another key player in India’s triumph, also took to social media to announce his retirement. He spoke about his pride in representing India and the fulfilment of winning the World Cup, which he considered the pinnacle of his T20 International career.
Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja will continue playing for India in Test and ODI formats. Their retirements from T20Is mark the end of an era for Indian cricket, as they were both integral parts of the team’s success in recent years.
Leaders Hail the Champions:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate the team, saying, “India’s glorious 11-year wait comes to an end! Champions! The entire nation is proud of our exceptional cricketers. We dominated the tournament and showed why we are the best in the format.”
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly echoed the sentiment, stating, “This is a momentous occasion for Indian cricket. We have waited a long time for this trophy, and the team’s performance tonight was truly deserving. We are incredibly proud of each and every player and the coaching staff.”
“This is for you, India. You’ve waited long enough and this team has done it for you. I’m so proud of the character and skill shown by the boys. We knew we had to be at our best to beat this South African team and that’s exactly what we did,” Rohit said at the post-match presentation.
“To come back from that disappointment and win this title is incredibly satisfying. We’ve worked so hard as a team and this is the reward. The fans have been amazing throughout and this one’s for them,” Kohli said.
“We gave it our all but India were just too good today. I’m proud of the fight we showed to get so close. We’ll learn from this experience and come back hungrier than ever to win that elusive first world title,” Markram said.
A Night for the History Books
The 2024 T20 World Cup final will be etched in the memories of Indian cricket fans for years to come. It was a night of resilience, exceptional bowling displays, and a fitting farewell for one of India’s batting greats. This victory marks a new chapter for Indian cricket, and the future looks bright for the Men in Blue.
The BCCI did announce a prize of 125 crore for the Indian Cricket Team
The BCCI did announce a prize of 125 crore for the Indian Cricket Team after their victory at the T20 World Cup 2024.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah himself announced this on social media, praising the team’s exceptional talent, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. This hefty amount is a token of appreciation for the team’s incredible achievement and is more than six times the prize money awarded by the ICC for winning the World Cup.
