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India clinched the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Champions title for the second time after 17 years wait, beating South Africa by 7 runs at Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday.
After being asked to bowl, the Proteas had gotten off to a fine start with three wickets within the Powerplay, including skipper Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav.
Star batter Virat Kohli, who was an upcoming cricketer 17 years ago, his first fifty of this tournament in the final — a classy 76 off 59 balls while Axar scored 47 off 31 balls.
With the 72-run stand of Virat Kohli and Axar Patel for the fourth wicket, the highest by an Indian pair in a final, made a recovery that carried India to a competitive 176 for seven.
The Proteas fell seven runs short while chasing India’s 176-run total.
In what has been a low scoring tournament, the total looked to be a daunting one for South Africa but then Quinton de Kock (39) and Tristan Stubbs (31) set the Proteeas on their way before Klaasen turned the game in their direction in the 15th over, smashing Axar Patel for 24 including two fours and two sixes.
When Klaasen was finally removed, caught behind off Hardik Pandya, the Proteas needed just 26 off the last 23 balls.
Knowing they had to take the initiative, Rohit turned early for Jasprit Bumrah’s final over and he answered the skipper’s call perfectly, bowling Marco Jansen and conceding just two runs in the 18th over.
That meant South Africa needed 20 from the final two overs and Arshdeep
Singh bowled a superb length to allow just four.
With 16 to win off the last over, Pandya bowled a full-toss at Miller who smashed it high straight down the ground but Suryakumar Yadav produced a breath-taking catch on the boundary, throwing the ball back into play before he crossed the ropes and then returning to complete the catch.
Kagiso Rabada came in and edged a four and Pandya showed some nerves with a wide but the seamer kept his cool to ensure silverware for India after they lost in last year’s 50 Over World Cup on home soil.
