India emerged victorious 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 set by Virat Kohli's resilient 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 momentum back in India's favor by dismissing Klaasen on the first ball of the next over. Bumrah (4-0-18-2) then delivered a masterful over, followed by a superb 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 the crucial wicket of Miller on the first delivery, with Suryakumar Yadav executing a remarkable catch at long-on. Pandya maintained his composure in the tense final over, limiting South Africa to 169 for eight, thus 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 tournament in 2007. South Africa's quest for their first World Cup title continues, despite Klaasen's outstanding performance against both pace and spin, which ultimately proved insufficient as the Indian bowlers orchestrated a stunning comeback. Earlier, Kohli's half-century (76 off 59 balls, 6 fours, 2 sixes) and Axar Patel's 47 off 31 balls, along with a crucial contribution from Shivam Dube (27 off 16 balls), helped India recover from an early collapse to post a total of 176 for seven. South Africa's Keshav Maharaj (3-0-23-2) and Anrich Nortje (4-0-26-2) each claimed two wickets. Kohli, who had been struggling for significant scores throughout the tournament, delivered a crucial innings in the final, announcing it as his last T20 appearance for India. An emotional Kohli expressed, "God is great, and I got the job done for the team on the day it mattered. Now or never, last T20 for India, wanted to make the most of it, wanted to lift the cup." He further stated, "This was an open secret, it's time for the next generation to take over, some amazing players will take the team forward and keep the flag waving high."