Dreams do come true indeed. It sure did for one Hardik Pandya, who has undergone a redemption of self with his glorious win at the T20 World Cup 2024. In a nail-biting final against South Africa, India emerged victorious with a hard-fought 7-run win, securing the coveted trophy. For Pandya, this moment was the culmination of years of hard work, resilience, and determination.

The road to victory

India faced off against South Africa, the only other undefeated team in the tournament. Both teams brought their A-game, but India excelled in all departments, holding their nerve in a tightly contested match. Pandya’s performance was pivotal. Coming into the attack, he dismissed the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen with a cunning slower and wider delivery, which led to an easy catch for Pant behind the stumps. This wicket marked the beginning of South Africa’s downfall.

As the match reached its climax, Pandya was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the final over. With South Africa needing 16 runs to win, Pandya displayed remarkable composure. He bowled a spectacular over, taking two crucial wickets, including the pivotal dismissal of David Miller, thanks to a sensational catch by Suryakumar Yadav. Pandya conceded just 8 runs, sealing India’s victory and bringing eternal glory back home.

“Just a boy from Baroda living his dream…”

An emotional Pandya took to X to share his pride and happiness. He reminisced about his journey from Baroda to Barbados, expressing his joy in achieving the feat of bringing glory back to India.

As the vice-captain of the Indian team, Pandya has proven time and again to be the difference maker when his team needed him most. Saturday’s final was no different, as he rose to the occasion and delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come.

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024 Final: Haters turned fans! Netizens apologize to Hardik Pandya after his match-winning last over against South Africa – Cricket Winner

In his heartfelt post, Pandya reflected on the years of hard work and dedication that led to this moment. His journey, marked by ups and downs, culminated in this crowning achievement. Pandya’s story is one of perseverance and triumph, inspiring millions of fans and young cricketers around the world.

South Africa captain Aiden Markram has minimized the threat posed by Team India and its star players ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 final, scheduled for Saturday in Barbados. While acknowledging India’s past successes in cricket, including winning the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 and two ODI World Cups, Markram expressed confidence in his team’s abilities.

“Probably I just see it as a new game of cricket…”

He views the final as a significant opportunity for South Africa, their first men’s World Cup final, to clinch the elusive trophy.

“Probably I just see it as a new game of cricket, to be honest. We all know India’s a great team. Us as a team, as South Africans, have been sort of trending in the right direction the last couple of years, but maybe not progressed in tournaments as far as we would have liked,” Markram said on the eve of the match.

“So, an exciting occasion tomorrow against a good opposition in India, but a nice opportunity for us as the Proteas as well.”

South Africa’s path to the final and preparation

South Africa’s journey to their maiden men’s World Cup final has been marked by winning all eight matches, although some were closely contested against teams like Bangladesh and Nepal.

“There have been close moments in games that would have probably affected the result and we managed to win those moments,” He said. “To have done them two, three, maybe four times throughout the competition so far has sort of given the team the belief that you can win from any position, which I think is quite important for a team to have that.”

“You play a game, you get on a plane, you fly, you check in at a new hotel and play your next game of cricket the next day. So, I don’t think there’s too much reflecting that happens.

“But it’s more the opportunity that we have of being in a final that sort of excites me quite a bit I think after the competition we will sit back and really appreciate what we’ve achieved so far as a team,” he said.

“But yeah, we’d love to get to our first final and be able to win that first final. And hopefully in the years to come that can break the burden of what a lot of other people are saying about us as a team.”

“…you say, ‘guys, we’ve still got one more step to go’. So, it’s not driven by coach or by captain. The whole unit sort of feels that and is driven by that,” he said.

“…sportsmen are highly competitive people and nobody would want to lose, and especially not lose in a final. So, I think there’s no sense that the guys are satisfied regardless of the result tomorrow. I think there’s still a massive hunger for us to go out and win tomorrow’s game.”

See Also: T20 World Cup 2024, Final, South Africa vs India Live streaming

Markram emphasized the team’s resilience in winning tight matches, suggesting it will be advantageous in the final showdown. Despite the demanding schedule and constant travel during the World Cup, Markram indicated satisfaction with the team’s progress and mindset heading into the championship match. He highlighted the team’s motivation and determination to seize the trophy, reflecting their focused approach towards the upcoming final against India.

For South Africa, 27th June will be a day to remember as they make their way to their maiden final in an ICC World Cup. Aiden Markram’s men hammered Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan by nine wickets at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba, Trinidad, advancing to the T20 World Cup 2024 final.

South Africa bowled Afghanistan out for 56 runs in 11.5 overs and chased down the target with more than 10 overs left in their innings. They entered the final match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 as the only unbeaten team with already eight wins to their name. This convincing win over Afghanistan in the semi-final also brought an end to South Africa’s 32-year-long wait, breaking their semifinal jinx and setting the stage for a historic final.

South Africa in ICC WC Semi-Finals
Mats: 8
Won: 1 (today)
Lost: 6
Tied: 1 (vs AUS, 1999)

Aiden Markram’s captaincy

Aiden Markram’s journey as captain has been remarkable. Stepping in for an injured Temba Bavuma, Markram has led the team with poise and determination. His leadership style, characterized by calmness, and strategic acumen, has been pivotal in South Africa’s success in the tournament so far.

See Also: “It is an opportunity we have never had,” Aiden Markram after beating Afghanistan in 1st Semi-final of T20 World Cup 2024

Markram has led his team to the World Cup final unbeaten throughout the tournament. South Africa have won all their eight matches so far, from the group stages to the Super Eight and then their win against Afghanistan during the semi-finals. They also beat the semi-finalists, England, during the Super Eight stage.

This is an impressive record as a captain of a team that has struggled to get past the knockout stage at the international level. He will be leading the South African team in the World Cup final on June 29, 2024.

The unwavering leadership

In March 2023, he was appointed as the captain of the South Africa cricket team in T20Is, ahead of their home series against the West Indies.

The dream many of his predecessors chased, only to fall short when it mattered most, is now within reach for the South African men’s team. Captain Aiden Markram has excelled in his decision-making, even though he has maintained a low profile.

Strategic mastery against the West Indies

Markram’s strategic brilliance was on full display in the must-win clash against the West Indies. He boldly used 12 overs of spin, including bowling himself. Markram did just that, securing a crucial win to advance to the semifinals at the expense of the co-hosts.

An unbeaten skipper

Markram is the only skipper in the world currently to win all the matches he has led across the U19 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and T20 World Cup.

In 2014, he led South Africa to their only U19 World Cup win, a year when the senior Proteas reached the T20 World Cup semifinal. Markram guided the team to six unbeaten wins to claim the U19 title. He has also led the Proteas to victory in two ODI World Cup games.

In the ongoing T20 World Cup, the Proteas have won eight matches in a row, equaling the record for most consecutive wins in the tournament’s history, alongside Australia.

Markram has now gone 10 matches unbeaten as captain in senior global events, joining Sune Luus as South African skippers to reach World Cup finals, with the latter doing so at the Women’s T20 World Cup last year on home soil.

Breaking the semifinal jinx

South Africa’s journey to the final is historic considering their past semifinal woes. Since their World Cup debut in 1992, the Proteas have been tagged as “chokers” due to their inability to progress beyond the semifinals despite having strong teams.

Every South African skipper, Kepler Wessels, Hansie Cronje, Shaun Pollock, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, and Temba Bavuma, tried to break the jinx of the semi-final but didn’t succeed. Aiden Markram broke this jinx in the first try of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Aiden Markram’s leadership has been a revelation. From leading the U19 team to World Cup glory in 2014 to his unbeaten streak in senior global events, Markram has consistently proven his mettle as a leader. His success in domestic leagues and international tournaments underscores his tactical brilliance and ability to inspire his team.

Trophies Won as captain by Aiden Markram

1. ICC U19 World Cup 2014 for South Africa
2. SA20 2023 tournament for Sunrisers Eastern Cape
3. SA20 2024 tournament for Sunrisers Eastern Cape

Matches Won by Aiden Markram in ICC tournaments: