Team India’s ICC trophy drought is over. India won the T20 World Cup 2024 title. The Rohit Sharma-led Indian team defeated South Africa by 7 runs in the final played in Barbados. India scored 176/7 and South Africa scored 169 for 8 in 20 overs. Earlier, India won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013 under the captaincy of MS Dhoni. At the same time, India won the ODI World Cup in 2011 under Dhoni’s leadership. India has captured the T20 World Cup for the second time. Let us tell you about 6 heroes of India’s victory, who beat South Africa.
Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli’s bat finally played in the title fight. Kohli, who scored only 75 runs in seven matches till the semi-finals, played a brilliant innings of 76 runs in the final. After facing 59 balls, he hit 6 fours and 2 sixes. India lost three wickets for 34 runs and Kohli took charge in such a situation. He shared a partnership of 72 runs with Akshar Patel and 57 runs with Shivam Dubey to take India to a challenging score. He was awarded Player of the Match in the final. Kohli retired from T20 international cricket after India won the trophy.
Akshar Patel
All-rounder Akshar Patel supported Kohli well in difficult situations. He missed the fifty. He scored 47 runs in 31 balls with the help of four sixes and one four. He was run out. Akshar could not leave that much impact with the ball. He conceded 49 runs in a spell of four overs. Akshar gave away 24 runs in the 15th over which put the Indian team on the backfoot. However, it was Tristan Stubbs (31 off 21 balls) who gave India a crucial breakthrough.
Jasprit Bumrah
India’s fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah once again showed his magic. He not only bowled economically but also guided two dangerous players to the pavilion. He conceded just 18 runs in a spell of four overs. Bumrah bowled opener Riza Hendricks (4) and all-rounder Mark Johnson (2). Bumrah became the player of the tournament. He made 15 dismissals in 8 matches. He is third in the list of highest wicket takers in the tournament.
Hardik Pandya
All-rounder Hardik Pandya (5 not out from two balls) didn’t get much of a chance to bat in the final but left a great impression with the bowling. Hardik bowled three overs and took three wickets for 20 runs. He dismissed Henrik Klaasen (52 off 27 balls), David Miller (21 off 17 balls) and Kagiso Rabada (4). Hardik brought India back into the match by getting Klaassen caught by Pant in the 17th over. South Africa needed 16 runs to win from the last over but Hardik spent only 8 runs.
Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav’s bat, who batted brilliantly in the semi-finals, remained quiet in the title match. He scored 3 runs in four balls. But Surya won everyone’s hearts by taking David Miller’s catch. With this catch, South Africa’s hopes were almost gone. Hardik bowled the first ball of the 20th over with a low full toss in the line of off stump, after which Miller shot towards long off. Surya first ran towards the boundary and caught the ball and when his balance started to lose, he threw the ball in the air. He then came in and completed the catch.
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma popularly known as ‘Hitman’ scored only 9 runs in the final but his captaincy was spectacular. Despite the high level of pressure, he showed wisdom. Rohit especially kept South Africa on the backfoot in the last five overs. When the South African team got a bit airy after Akshar’s costly over, Rohit put Bumrah on the bowling front. Bumrah conceded four runs in the 16th over, which kept the pressure on the South African camp. South Africa needed 30 runs in the last five overs and the Indian bowlers gave away 20 runs. Rohit was emotional after India became the champion.