India are T20 world champions once again, ending a 17-year wait to join West Indies and England as the only teams to win the Men’s T20 World Cup twice. The grand finale in Barbados was electrifying, with Indian players in ecstasy and the field flooded by the jubilant dugout. India’s 176/7 is the highest team total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final, showcasing their batting prowess on the big stage.

The crowd roared while South Africa faced heartbreak once more. Rohit Sharma lifted the trophy he first won as a rookie India player back in 2007, and fireworks lit up the sky. It was a triumph for the best team in the competition, capped by a thrilling final.

Key moments in India’s innings

India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. However, India’s top order struggled initially. Rohit Sharma departed early after collecting a couple of consecutive fours off Keshav Maharaj in the second over. Maharaj responded well by having Rohit caught at square leg, followed by the dismissal of Rishabh Pant, leaving India at 23/2. Suryakumar Yadav also fell to the sweep shot, leaving India three down inside the powerplay at 45/3.

Virat Kohli and Axar Patel’s on point partnership

Virat Kohli and Axar Patel then stabilized the innings. Kohli, who hit three elegant boundaries off Marco Jansen in the opening over, shifted gears during the middle overs. This was the fifth edition of the T20 World Cup where Virat Kohli scored 150 or more runs. Only Mahela Jayawardene has matched this feat, with no one else surpassing it.

Axar Patel played a crucial knock, collecting a six each from Aiden Markram, Maharaj, and Tabraiz Shamsi. The highlight of Axar’s innings was a straight six off Rabada. Kohli and Axar’s partnership allowed India to post the highest total in a T20 World Cup final, with Kohli scoring 76 off 59 and Axar contributing 47 off 31. Despite Axar being run out in an unfortunate manner, their efforts propelled India to 176/7.

South Africa’s response and Klassen’s heroics

In response, South Africa faced early setbacks with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Reeza Hendricks in the powerplay. Despite losing early wickets, Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs put up a 58-run stand, with Stubbs scoring 52 off 27. Heinrich Klaasen then played a breathtaking knock, hitting several boundaries and reducing the asking rate to a run a ball.

Klaasen’s aggressive batting put South Africa in a strong position, but Rohit Sharma’s tactical decisions turned the tide. Not opting for Bumrah, Sharma brought Axar Patel into the attack, who conceded crucial runs. With South Africa needing 20 runs off the last 12 balls, Jasprit Bumrah bowled a brilliant penultimate over, taking a wicket and giving away only six runs. Arshdeep Singh equalled Fazalhaq Farooqi’s record for the most wickets in a single T20 World Cup edition, highlighting his impact in the tournament.

The dramatic final over fit Hardik Pandya

The equation came down to 16 runs needed off the last six balls. Hardik Pandya, who had been criticized in recent months, was handed the ball for the final over. On the first delivery, Suryakumar Yadav took a sensational relay catch at long-off to dismiss David Miller, putting India on the brink of victory. Pandya held his nerve, taking another wicket and conceding just eight runs in the over, ensuring India won by seven runs.

Pandya’s final over capped a remarkable comeback for India. His performance, along with Bumrah’s brilliance and Suryakumar’s fielding, were instrumental in securing India’s first ICC trophy since 2013.

After the match, Virat Kohli, who was part of India’s 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, announced his retirement from T20 cricket. “It’s time for the next generation to take over. It was an open secret and I would have announced it even if we would have lost,” Kohli said. His departure marked the end of an era for Indian cricket.

Over the years, the T20 World Cup has seen several standout performers being honored as the Player of the Tournament. Shahid Afridi, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kevin Pietersen, Shane Watson, and David Warner have all earned this prestigious title. Virat Kohli, renowned for his consistency and match-winning prowess, uniquely won this accolade twice, underscoring his dominance in the format. Recently, Sam Curran added his name to this illustrious list. In the latest edition, Jasprit Bumrah’s exceptional performances earned him the title, cementing his status as one of the premier bowlers in T20 cricket.

See Also: [Watch] T20 World Cup 2024 Final: Hardik Pandya’s heartfelt post after epic T20 World Cup win

The sense of relief and jubilation was evident on the faces of Indian players, especially Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. Rohit, emotionally exhausted, shared a heartfelt moment with his wife Ritika, while Pandya broke down in tears, receiving a kiss from Rohit. The victory was also a fitting farewell for head coach Rahul Dravid. Rohit Sharma became the first captain to win 50 T20I matches, setting a new benchmark for leadership in the format.

India’s performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup was exceptional, with a batting average of 25.55 and a bowling average of 14.94. Their batting run rate stood at 7.98, while their bowling economy rate was an impressive 6.67. India also achieved their longest winning streaks in T20Is, with 12 consecutive wins from November 2021 to February 2022 and another ongoing streak of 12 wins from December 2023 to June 2024.

In the 2024 T20 World Cup, India set a record for most wins in a single edition, securing eight victories, a feat matched by South Africa in the same tournament. Previous records included six wins by Sri Lanka in 2009 and Australia in 2010 and 2021.

India’s triumph was a testament to the joint efforts of its star players, strategic leadership, and unyielding determination. The match in Barbados will be remembered as one of the most thrilling finals in T20 World Cup history.

India skipper Rohit Sharma was full of emotions after the title-clinching seven-run win over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados on Saturday. Rohit, who finished the tournament as India’s highest run-getter, was visibly ecstatic as India ended their more than decade-long ICC title drought without legendary captain MS Dhoni.

Unique celebration gets appreciation

Just after securing the title, Rohit patted the ground multiple times and was also seen eating the soil of Kensington Oval’s pitch as Indian players continued their celebrations. The official social media account of Wimbledon shared pictures of Rohit and Novak Djokovic in similar actions, highlighting the similarity between the two sports greats. FIFA also posted about his trophy walk, comparing it to Lionel Messi’s. Netizens quickly noticed Rohit’s epic soil-eating celebration, reminiscent of Djokovic’s habit of eating grass after winning the Wimbledon Grand Slam. Rohit had previously admitted to being a Djokovic fan.

Rohit, who had played in each edition of the T20 World Cup, announced his retirement from T20Is, following the footsteps of his teammate Virat Kohli. Both players will continue to play ODI and Test cricket for the country.

India’s nerve-wracking Victory

In a nervy summit clash, the Men in Blue remained calm and composed in a pressure situation and successfully defended 176 despite Heinrich Klaasen’s fiery 52 off 27 balls. Hardik Pandya bagged the crucial dismissal and scripted a late fightback to help secure India’s second T20 World Cup title. India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah also built pressure from the other end, taking the wicket of Marco Jansen. Pandya returned to stamp his authority with the scalps of David Miller and Kagiso Rabada in the final over, restricting South Africa to 169/8 in 20 overs.

See Also: [Watch] The mastermind behind Rohit Sharma’s trophy walk; Who? – Cricket Winner

Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bat first but were struggling at 34/3 after 4.3 overs, losing Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav inside the powerplay. However, Virat Kohli stepped up, playing an anchor knock of 76 off 59 balls, while Axar Patel scored 47 off 31 balls to take their total to 176/7.

India’s victory was a testament to their resilience and skill, with key performances from both the batting and bowling units. The celebrations that followed, especially Rohit’s unique gesture, added a memorable chapter to India’s cricketing history.

While many compared Rohit Sharma‘s unique walk to the stage to receive the T20 World Cup trophy to Lionel Messi’s FIFA World Cup moment, a video on social media revealed that it was spinner Kuldeep Yadav who planned and demonstrated the walk to Rohit. This behind-the-scenes preparation added a special touch to India’s historic victory.

India’s thrilling T20 World Cup Final victory

India (176 / 7) edged out South Africa (169 / 8) by seven runs in a thrilling final in Barbados on Saturday, ending a 17-year wait for another T20 World Cup triumph. This victory also ended an 11-year ICC title drought for India, with the last win being the 2013 Champions Trophy. For Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, this tournament was their last chance to win a world title in the shortest format, as both announced their retirement from T20Is after the victory.

Kuldeep Yadav’s influence on Rohit’s trophy reception

Before Rohit went on to receive the trophy, Kuldeep Yadav could be seen showing his skipper how to approach the stage. This video has since gone viral on social media, capturing the hearts of fans. India’s victory was built on the foundation of Virat Kohli’s best knock of the tournament, a 59-ball 76, and Axar Patel’s crucial 47, which set up a challenging total for South Africa to chase.

India’s bowlers were instrumental in the win, with Hardik Pandya taking 3-20, Jasprit Bumrah 2-18, and Arshdeep Singh 2 -20. Despite South Africa moving into a winning position at one stage, requiring just a run a ball, the turning points came with the wicket of Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27 balls) by Pandya and a stunning catch by Suryakumar Yadav to dismiss David Miller (21 off 17 balls). These key moments shifted the momentum back to India, securing their historic triumph.

See Also: Axar Patel: India’s T20 World Cup Final hero’s near-villain moment – Cricket Winner

This thrilling match and the memorable moments around it, including Kuldeep’s unique influence on Rohit’s trophy walk, have been widely celebrated, marking a significant milestone in India’s cricketing history.

Virat Kohli, with an impressive 16 awards from his 125 matches, showcasing his consistent impact on the game. Following closely are Suryakumar Yadav, Rohit Sharma, and Sikandar Raza, each recognized for their exceptional contributions with 15 and 14 awards respectively, highlighting their pivotal roles in their respective teams successes.

Kohli, known for rising to big occasions, always delivered when it mattered most in T20 World Cups. Across 6 tournaments, he amassed a record 1292 runs in 35 matches.

His T20 World Cup journey began in 2012, but it was the 2014 edition where Kohli truly shone, carrying India to the final with standout performances. Despite a heartbreaking loss to Sri Lanka in the final, he impressed with 319 runs in 6 matches, showcasing his fearless yet effective batting style.

Kohli’s T20 World Cup legacy: from breakthroughs to heartbreaks

From 2014 to 2016, Kohli’s stature and performances grew. In the 2016 tournament held in India, he played pivotal roles in knockout matches against top teams like Australia and South Africa, leading India to the semi-finals. Despite scoring 89 crucial runs in the semi-final against West Indies, India fell short, but Kohli’s brilliance earned him the Player of the Tournament award for his 273 runs in 5 matches.

Before the 2024 T20 World Cup final, Kohli faced criticism for his form but silenced doubters with a match-winning 76 off 59 balls against South Africa. Despite India losing early wickets, Kohli anchored the innings superbly, showcasing his class and determination in his final T20I match.

Finishing his T20I career with 4,188 runs from 125 matches at a strike rate of 137, Kohli leaves as the format’s second-highest run-scorer in international cricket, trailing only Indian captain Rohit Sharma.

List of players with most POTM awards in T20I

Twitter reactions:

SEE ALSO: Rahul Dravid gets the perfect send-off from the team, says, “I tried my best whenever I played”

Axar Patel’s brave attempt to turn the game around for India ended when Quinton de Kock’s excellent throw hit the stumps directly in the T20 World Cup 2024 final at Kensington Oval in Barbados on June 29.

Axar, who was playing exceptionally well, was out for 47 runs off 31 balls just when India needed him the most. This happened in the 14th over with Kagiso Rabada bowling.

Axar Patel’s brave effort in T20 World Cup Final

A misunderstanding between the batters led to Axar being sent back. De Kock quickly moved to his left, picked up the ball cleanly, and threw it accurately at the stumps. Axar was run out and had to leave the field to applause for his great performance.

The sequence started when Rabada bowled a length ball aimed at Virat Kohli’s body. Kohli tried to hit it to the leg side but missed, and the ball hit his thigh pad and rolled to de Kock’s left. Seeing Axar too far out of his crease, de Kock took the chance and threw the ball perfectly at the stumps.

The ball then deflected off the stumps and went towards the boundary between long-off and extra cover, but the replay showed that Axar was out of his ground.

Twitter reactions:

India’s resilient batting and South Africa’s steady response

Rohit Sharma’s decision to bat first paid off initially as he and Virat Kohli started India’s innings aggressively, scoring 15 runs off the opening over. However, South Africa struck back swiftly with Keshav Maharaj dismissing Rohit Sharma (9 off 5) and Rishabh Pant (0 off 2) in quick succession. KG Rabada added to India’s woes by sending Suryakumar Yadav back to the pavilion for just 3 runs near the end of the powerplay.

Despite the early setbacks, Kohli and Axar Patel steadied the innings with a mature partnership, adapting well to the conditions and capitalizing on loose deliveries to keep the scoreboard ticking. Their stand was crucial until Axar Patel fell short of his crease due to a sharp run-out by Quinton de Kock, ending their partnership at 74 runs. Kohli continued to anchor India’s innings, scoring a valuable 76 off 59 balls, supported later by Shivam Dube’s brisk 27 off 16 balls. Despite losing a few quick wickets towards the end, India managed to set a competitive total, crossing the 175-run mark.

South Africa, in response, started steadily, reaching 42/2 at the end of six overs. They lost early wickets but Quinton de Kock and Luke Stubbs stabilized their innings, aiming to build a solid foundation for their chase as they approached the middle overs.

SEE ALSO: Why is Prafull Billore, aka ‘MBA Chai Wala’, supporting South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 Final?

“My best memories are the connections I’ve built,” said outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid as he and his team prepare for the T20 World Cup final against South Africa at Kensington Oval on Saturday.

Dravid, who felt devastated after India’s early exit from the 2007 ODI World Cup as captain, is now on the brink of a remarkable farewell as coach. He took over from Ravi Shastri after the 2021 T20 World Cup and has been with the team for almost three years. In a promotional video shared by the BCCI, the 51-year-old said coaching the Indian team was a valuable learning experience for him and his family.

Dravid’s Final Game: A Coach’s Reflection

Dravid praised the team’s professionalism in both victories and defeats during his tenure. Before the current T20 World Cup, Dravid led the team to the finals of both the ICC World Test Championship and the home 50-over World Cup last year, though they lost to Australia each time.

India’s captain, Rohit Sharma mentioned he tried to convince Dravid to stay on as coach but was unsuccessful. Rohit called Dravid “a big role model”.

“I’ve enjoyed every bit of working with him,” said Rohit, who has both played under and alongside Dravid for India. “I tried convincing him to stay, but he has many other commitments to attend to.

“I’ve personally enjoyed my time with him, and I’m sure the rest of the team feels the same. It’s been great working with him.”

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Australia won the Women’s T20 World Cup after defeating South Africa by 19 runs through an outstanding effort from the whole bowling unit and a stunning knock by Beth Mooney.

The Wolvaardt-Tryon combination aided the South Africans mount a valiant comeback in the middle overs, but they ultimately lost wickets at a rapid rate to lose the match . It has been difficult to hit speed off into this worn wicket.  Prior triumphs for Australia occurred in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2020. South Africa will get their fairytale finish at home if they find a way to halt the Australian juggernaut in the Women’s T20 World Cup final today.

READ MORE: IND vs AUS: KL Rahul visits Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain to ‘seek blessings’ ahead of third Test – WATCH Video

Australia complete 2nd hattrick of titles

South Africa showed commendable fighting spirit to upset England in the semifinal but they will need to stitch together a perfect game to topple the mighty Australia, who are the record five-time champions and are in their seventh successive final.

South Africa was given a goal of 157 for victory, but they were only able to reach 137 for six, shattering their chances of winning the trophy in their first finals appearance. The Proteas’ opening batswoman Laura Wolvaardt kept the game close while she was on the field, but her dismissal in the 17th over for 61 (48 balls) put an end to their first title hopes. Australia would thank Mooney for the way she played despite losing her opening partner Alyssa Healy (18).