India triumphed over South Africa in a nail-biting finish to secure the 2024 T20 World Cup title with a seven-run victory in the final on Saturday. Spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, the Indian bowlers successfully defended a total of 177 in Bridgetown, following Virat Kohli's valiant 76 off 59 deliveries.
South Africa, chasing 177, appeared in control at 151 for four in 16 overs, with Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27 balls) and David Miller (21 off 17 balls) at the crease, needing only 26 runs from the last 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) then delivered an exceptional over, followed by a remarkable penultimate over from Arshdeep Singh (4-0-20-2).
With South Africa requiring 16 runs in the final over, Pandya took the ball and secured a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Miller on the first delivery, caught brilliantly by Suryakumar Yadav at long-on. Pandya and India then maintained their composure to clinch the thrilling final over, ending their 11-year drought for an ICC trophy. This marks India's second T20 World Cup victory, having won the inaugural tournament in 2007.
Earlier, Kohli's fighting half-century (76 off 59 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes) helped India recover from early setbacks to post a competitive 176 for seven. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, India struggled early, falling to 34 for three in the fifth over. However, Kohli and Axar Patel (47 off 31 balls) revived the innings with a crucial partnership, and Shivam Dube (27 off 16 balls) contributed a vital cameo. South Africa's Keshav Maharaj (3-0-23-2) and Anrich Nortje (4-0-26-2) each claimed two wickets.
