Bridgetown: India delivered a stellar performance to clinch a thrilling victory over South Africa by a narrow margin of seven runs in a tense men’s T20 World Cup final. The triumph ended a 13-year wait for the cricket-crazy nation since the last World Cup win.
The final in Bridgetown, Barbados witnessed high drama as India posted a formidable total of 177 runs to chase – the highest ever in a men’s T20 final. South Africa matched India’s score stride for stride, even taking the lead at times, but exceptional bowling from India and a spectacular catch by Suryakumar Yadav in the closing stages turned the tide in India’s favor.
The victory sparked jubilant and emotional celebrations among the Indian team, especially poignant after a year of heartbreak following losses to Australia in the finals of both the ODI Cricket World Cup and World Test Championship.
In the thrilling final moments of the T20 World Cup, India faced intense pressure with three key players: Hardik Pandya, who had been heavily criticized during the IPL months; star bowler Jasprit Bumrah, aiming to prove his T20 prowess once again; and Arshdeep Singh, trusted by the team in critical moments. South Africa, needing 26 runs from 24 balls with six wickets in hand, was also under pressure due to their history of close games.
The momentum shifted dramatically when Hardik Pandya cleverly bowled a slower delivery to dismiss Heinrich Klaasen, conceding only four runs. Jasprit Bumrah followed up by removing Marco Jansen and giving away just two runs in the next over.
With 19 runs required from the final two overs, Arshdeep Singh conceded only four runs, setting the stage for Hardik Pandya to finish what he started. However, victory might not have been sealed if not for Suryakumar Yadav’s incredible catch under immense pressure. Suryakumar leaped near the boundary to snatch a crucial catch, tipping the scales decisively in India’s favor.
After sealing the game, Hardik Pandya broke down emotionally, as did his teammates. Rohit Sharma, visibly moved, retreated to the dressing room while coach Rahul Dravid, seeking redemption after India’s past World Cup disappointments, also showed deep emotion.
Reflecting on his turbulent past months, Hardik Pandya spoke of personal and professional challenges, expressing gratitude for the nation’s support during tough times. Rohit Sharma, appearing unexpectedly on camera, shared the team’s journey and the significance of this victory, particularly after the heartbreak of the previous year’s World Cup loss to Australia.
Virat Kohli, who played a crucial role in the final match, announced his retirement from T20 cricket, emphasizing the need for younger players to step up. Meanwhile, South Africa, despite their commendable performance in the final, narrowly missed their chance to rewrite their history of near misses in global tournaments.
For Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, both legends in Indian cricket, this victory carried special significance. Despite their distinguished careers, they had faced their share of World Cup disappointments, often overshadowed by cricketing giants like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli.
The journey from Rohit Sharma’s tearful disappointment in the 2015 World Cup semi-final to his jubilant celebrations in Barbados symbolized a long-awaited triumph. Likewise, Rahul Dravid, who had endured a humbling World Cup campaign in 2007, now found redemption as a coach.
As India prepares to celebrate this historic victory, the team and its leaders look forward to a warm reception back home, eager to share their success with fans and loved ones. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the win as inspirational for the nation, marking a proud moment for Indian cricket and its supporters worldwide.
