The Indian cricket team broke the long-cherished 11-year ICC trophy drought when it emerged victorious over South Africa by seven runs in the T20 World Cup final in Kensington Oval, Bridgetown Barbados on June 29, 2024. Both India and South Africa decided on an unaltered line-up in the final match of the series after Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, decided to go for batting upon winning the toss. India began aggressively as Rohit and V Kohli scored 23 runs for the first wicket when V Kohli got out to K Maharaj for 9.
Jasprit Bumrah’s match-defining spell
The Indian team successfully won the T20 World Cup for the second time after the year 2007, all thanks to the magnificent spell by Jasprit Bumrah. Thus, 30 required off 30 balls, Rohit Sharma once again put his trust in Bumrah. India’s bowling cynosure answered back as he bowled the 16th over for only four runs and restricted the scoring to only two runs even in the 18th over when he took Jansen’s wicket thereby reversing some sorts for the Men in Blue. Bumrah finished with the match figures of 4-0-18-2 to take India to the much-needed title.
Axar Patel’s all-round effort
Axar Patel, was one of India’s best bowlers during that victory. At one point India was struggling at 34 for 3, but Axar came to the crease and with Kohli makes a fighting stand. Just as Axar was looking at his best, he got out in a rubbles run out with Kohli whoam making a fighting knock of 72 for the fourth wicket. The left arm cutter bowler played a blazing knock and made 47 runs off 31 balls with the help of one four and four sixes. Later, Axar also came into bowl and took the massive wicket of Tristan Stubbs.
Virat Kohli’s match-winning fifty
Another match-winning knock was played by Virat Kohli as he also enabled India come up with a competitive score at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown- Barbados. Kohli struggled for runs and come into final as a struggling Indian top order player but as always he came through in the nick of time. When India were at 34/3, Kohli posted useful stands with Axar and Dube, thus taking India past the 170 mark. Kohli was batting dominating, he played a good knock of 76 off 59 balls which included 6 fours and 2 sixes.