Virat Kohli was the star of India’s innings, scoring a brilliant 76 off 59 balls. After India lost three quick wickets in the powerplay, Kohli steadied the innings and forged crucial partnerships with Axar Patel (47 off 31 balls) and Shivam Dube (27 off 15 balls) to propel India to a competitive 176/7. Kohli’s experience and class shone through as he timed the ball beautifully and rotated the strike effectively. His innings were a testament to his ability to perform on the biggest stage.
In a fitting farewell to his T20 international career, Virat Kohli led India to a thrilling victory over South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. The talismanic batter announced his retirement from the shortest format immediately after the match, capping off an illustrious T20l journey with a Player of the Match performance.
The 35-year-old, who was part of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup-winning squad, finally ended the team’s 11-year drought in the global tournament. His leadership and inspirational performances throughout the tournament were instrumental in India’s triumph.
In the post-match presentation, a visibly emotional Kohli announced his retirement from T20 internationals, stating that it was the “perfect time” to bid farewell to the format. He expressed his gratitude to his teammates, the support staff, and the Indian fans for their unwavering support over the years.
Hardik Pandya was the hero with the ball in the death overs. With South Africa needing 15 runs off the final over, Pandya held his nerve and delivered a superb over, conceding just 7 runs and taking the crucial wicket of David Miller. His ability to execute his yorkers and slower deliveries under immense pressure was crucial in restricting South Africa’s chase.
Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant bowling performance was a key factor in India’s thrilling 7-run victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final
Jasprit Bumrah was once again India’s spearhead, finishing with figures of 2/18 in his 4 overs. He struck early to dismiss Reeza Hendricks and then returned in the death overs to dismiss Tristan Stubbs and Keshav Maharaj. Bumrah’s accuracy, variations, and ability to bowl at the death were instrumental in keeping South Africa’s powerful batting lineup in check.
Bumrah’s consistent performance throughout the tournament, where he took 15 wickets at an average of 8.27 and an economy of just 4.17 earned him the Player of the Tournament award. His ability to remain clear and calm under pressure was crucial to his dominant displays.
In the final, Bumrah’s two early wickets put India in control, and his economical spell in the death overs, alongside Hardik Pandya’s heroics, ensured that South Africa fell short of the target despite a late fightback. Bumrah’s value to the team was immeasurable, and his performance on the big stage was a testament to his class and skill.
Axar Patel played a crucial all-round role for India. With the bat, he scored a valuable 47 off 31 balls, forging a 72-run partnership with Kohli to help India post a challenging total. With the ball, Axar bowled economically, conceding just 29 runs in his 4 overs and picking up the important wicket of Aiden Markram. His all-round performance was a major factor in India’s victory.
The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams showcasing their skills and determination. India’s ability to bounce back from the early setbacks and post a competitive total, coupled with their disciplined bowling and fielding, ultimately proved to be the difference. Kohli, Pandya, Bumrah, and Axar’s performances were the cornerstones of India’s triumph, as they ended their ICC trophy drought and clinched their second T20 World Cup title.
The victory was especially sweet for India, as they had not won an ICC tournament since the 2013 Champions Trophy. The team’s resilience and the individual brilliance of its key players ensured that the long wait for an ICC title finally came to an end. This triumph will undoubtedly be etched in the memories of Indian cricket fans for years to come.
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