India Clinches ICC T20 World Cup Title, Ending 11-Year Drought
India Triumphs in T20 World Cup
On June 29, India celebrated a significant victory in Barbados, marking the end of an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy by defeating South Africa by seven runs to secure the ICC T20 World Cup title for the second time.
This victory marked Rohit Sharma's second ICC T20 World Cup win and his inaugural title as captain, following a disappointing loss to Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 final after a remarkable ten-match winning streak.
The match also served as a farewell to two legends of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who exited the T20 format on a high note.
Rohit Sharma was instrumental with the bat throughout the tournament, amassing 257 runs across eight innings, which included three half-centuries, averaging 36.71 with a strike rate exceeding 155. He finished as the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament.
In terms of bowling, Arshdeep Singh led the Indian attack, claiming the most wickets for India in the T20 World Cup with 17 wickets in eight innings, boasting an impressive average of 12.64 and an economy rate below 8, making him the second-highest wicket-taker overall.
India opted to bat first but found themselves in a precarious position at 34/3. However, Virat Kohli, who had a quiet tournament until then, steadied the innings.
His aggressive start, hitting three boundaries in quick succession, signaled his return to form. Kohli partnered with Axar Patel, contributing to a vital 72-run partnership, with Patel scoring a brisk 47 off 31 balls, including one four and four sixes. Kohli finished with 76 runs from 59 balls, featuring six fours and two sixes, helping India post a competitive total of 176/7.
The match remained tense as South Africa's Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs built a 58-run partnership, and a powerful 15th over from Klaasen, who scored 52 off 27 balls, shifted momentum towards the Proteas, who needed 30 runs in the last 30 balls.
However, Hardik Pandya's crucial wicket of Klaasen in the 16th over turned the tide. The match's defining moment came when Suryakumar Yadav executed a spectacular catch, leaping over the boundary to dismiss David Miller in the final over.
Despite their efforts, South Africa ended at 169/8, falling short of the target.