India have got their hands on major silverware for the first time in 11 years courtesy of a seven-run victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup.
Not since the 2013 Champions Trophy have India lifted a trophy on the big stage, but that drought is over after coming through a topsy-turvy showpiece with the Proteas in Bridgetown.
Virat Kohli guided his side to 176-7 off their 20 overs but South Africa were on the brink of success when requiring 30 from as many balls, still with six wickets in hand.
However, Jasprit Bumrah produced an outrageous spell of death bowling, not necessarily taking wickets but rendering it nigh-on possible for South Africa to get him to the boundary.
Just 14 runs were scored during the following four overs, leaving South Africa requiring 16 runs from six deliveries, and they ultimately fell short by seven runs as their own chances of a first-ever World Cup trophy fell by the wayside.
Rohit Sharma falls for nine 😱 pic.twitter.com/NRGSECKMUD
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
India recover after poor start
Although India scored 23 runs off the opening nine balls, Keshav Maharaj removed Rohit Sharma (9) and Rishabh Pant (0) in the space of three deliveries.
Suryakumar Yadav (3) soon followed for three, yet the situation would be salvaged by Kohli and Axar Patel before the latter was run out for 47 off 31 balls.
Kohli majestically carried on, hitting six fours and two sixes during a knock of 76 from 59, with Shivam Dube making 27 from 16 deliveries at the end.
The 176-7 posted by India was the biggest ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final, highlighting the size of the task in hand for South Africa even before Reeze Hendricks (4) and Aiden Markram (4) found themselves back in the pavilion by 2.3 overs.
South Africa rallied, though, with Quinton de Kock (39), Tristan Stubbs (31) and David Miller (21) all making valuable contributions to keep their side in the contest.
Klaasen heroics upstaged by Bumrah brilliance
Heinrich Klaasen (52) was the main man, however, with his 51 from 23 balls the fastest-ever half-century in the history of the competition.
Two fours and five sixes were posted before Hardik Pandya took one of his three wickets, leaving South Africa requiring 26 from 23 balls.
What a catch from Suryakumar Yadav 🔥
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
12 needed from 4 deliveries 😬 pic.twitter.com/TDKoNDchNe
Bumrah entering the fray soon took the game away from South Africa, with the legendary pace bowler dismissing Marco Jansen (2).
In the last over, with South Africa wanting 16, Yadav produced a spectacular catch on the boundary to send Kagiso Rabada from the crease and hand Hardik his third wicket.
Although South Africa reached a stage where they required boundaries from their last two balls for victory, the chance was blown earlier in the innings, and Markram's side will be left rueing this missed opportunity for some time concurrently with India feeling the relief of their first World Cup trophy since 2011.
Darren Plant
