India triumphed over South Africa in a nail-biting finish to secure the 2024 T20 World Cup title, winning by seven runs in the final on Saturday. Spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, the Indian bowlers successfully defended a total of 177 set by Virat Kohli's resilient 76 off 59 deliveries. South Africa, chasing 177, appeared to be in control at 151 for four after 16 overs, with Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27) and David Miller (21 off 17) at the crease, needing only 26 runs from the final 24 balls. However, Pandya (3-0-20-3) swung the game back in India's favor by dismissing Klaasen on the first ball of the next over. Bumrah (4-0-18-2), the tournament's player of the match, then delivered a masterful over, followed by a crucial penultimate over from Arshdeep Singh (4-0-20-2). With South Africa requiring 16 runs in the last over, Pandya stepped up, claiming Miller's wicket on the first ball with a spectacular catch by Suryakumar Yadav at long-on. Pandya then maintained his composure to limit South Africa to 169 for eight, ending India's 11-year drought for an ICC trophy. This marks India's second T20 World Cup victory, following their win in the inaugural 2007 edition. The previous ICC event victory for India was in 2013, when they won the Champions Trophy in England. The win also marked a triumphant farewell for outgoing coach Rahul Dravid, who finally secured a victory in an ICC tournament final after previous losses to Australia. South Africa, meanwhile, continues to wait for their first World Cup title, despite Klaasen's valiant performance. Earlier, Kohli's half-century (76 off 59, including 6 fours and 2 sixes) helped India recover from early losses to post a total of 176 for seven. After choosing to bat, India struggled early, reaching 34 for three in the fifth over. However, Kohli and Axar Patel (47 off 31) revived the innings, with Shivam Dube (27 off 16) contributing a vital knock. South Africa's Keshav Maharaj (3-0-23-2) and Anrich Nortje (4-0-26-2) each took two wickets. Kohli, who had been under pressure for big scores leading up to the final, delivered a crucial innings, announcing his retirement from T20 internationals following the match.