India beats South Africa in a thrilling T20 World Cup final to lift an ICC Trophy after 11 years

India has once again emerged as the world champion after a long wait. It all came down to this. After a sensational tournament, two unbeaten sides met in Barbados in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final.

In a classic final sure to be remembered for years to come, India made history with a nail-biting seven-run victory over South Africa. For every heartbreak in the last 11 years, now there will be June 29, 2024. The date will be earmarked in the history of Indian cricket as it ended their 11-year-long wait for an ICC title. 

Virat Kohli's attritional 76 helped India achieve a monumental first-innings score of 176/7, aiming for their first crown in over a decade. Meanwhile, South Africa were looking for their first world title ever as they chased 177 - and came immensely close, with some fine batting from Heinrich Klaasen.

Early fall of key wickets put India in trouble

After an expensive opening over from Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj took two in the second - first Rohit Sharma, caught by Heinrich Klaasen, and then Rishabh Pant, caught by wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock. Kagiso Rabada took the crucial wicket of Suryakumar Yadav for just 3 in the fifth over, with Klaasen taking the catch as the batter attempted to attack.

Virat Kohli and Axar Patel formed a vital partnership of 72 for the fourth wicket, however it was halted by poor running and exceptional fielding. De Kock picked up a gentle tap from Kohli and rapidly threw it at the non-striker's end, where Axar was well out of the crease.

Shivam Dube joined Kohli in the middle, and they put on another valuable knock of 57 between them before South Africa made inroads in the last two overs of the innings. 

Kohli's hard fought innings came to an end for 76 by Jansen. Anrich Nortje continued his fine tournament with two wickets in the final over - Dube trying to hit hard got caught in the hands of David Miller, and then Ravindra Jadeja edged to Maharaj on the last ball.

Bumrah struck early

Jasprit Bumrah bowled a perfect delivery to knock over Reeza Hendricks in the second over, followed by Aiden Markram edging Arshdeep Singh behind. De Kock maintained his impressive form, partnering with Tristan Stubbs for 58 runs off 38 balls.

Stubbs' departure for 31 as he was bowled by Axar Patel, brought Heinrich Klaasen to the crease for the last ball of the ninth over, with South Africa still needing more than 100 runs. De Kock couldn't lead the chase, holding Arshdeep out to the hands of Kuldeep Yadav for a valuable 39.

David Miller joined Klaasen and their combined big hitting got the required run-rate down to a run a ball, with 30 remaining. But Klaasen nicked Hardik Pandya behind for 52 in the 17th over, looking for another boundary to close the gap even further, leaving his side on 151/5.

Marco Jansen was dismissed by a brilliant Bumrah ball, as the required run-rate increased again - with 20 needed off the last two overs. Then Miller fell in the first ball of the final over for 21, attempting a six off Hardik but reaching only the hands of Suryakumar on the run, who took a stunning catch at the boundary line.

Maharaj and Rabada endeavored to maintain the pressure. But they could not fend off Hardik for much longer, with Rabada hefting a shot straight to Suryakumar again. A single from Anrich Nortje on the last ball left South Africa eight runs short of victory in an epic final showdown.

This time around, Rohit Sharma’s men displayed ice cool nerves in the face of pressure. The game seemed to slip away when South Africa got ahead in the chase, but the Men In Blue were unwilling to throw in the towel. Nothing could stop the Indians from wearing that coveted title.

When the job was done, Virat Kohli looked up at the sky with hands aloft. Rohit was mobbed by his teammates, and the support staff ran onto the ground with the national flag.

Cover Credits - ICC Official