India clawed their way back into the game that South Africa seem to have won in final 4 overs of T20 World Cup 2024 Final. The match has been an undying thriller to remember for ages. Every time, India won in an ICC tournament Final, they played some absolute thrillers. After T20 World Cup 2007, another big thriller for Indian team to win the trophy.
This match will be remembered for ages by all Indian fans like ICC Champions Trophy 2013 Final, for sheer grit India has shown to turn it around in final overs. Hardik Pandya dismissed Heinrich Klaasen, who looked like winning first ICC trophy for South Africa, single-handedly. Also, in the final over, Suryakumar Yadav took a stunning catch on the boundary keeping his nerve to dismiss David Miller.
After India gave them a task to chase down 177 runs to win after putting 176/7 on board, South Africa looked confident in chase. But Jasprit Bumrah got first breakthrough dismissing Reeza Hendricks(4). Immediately, Aiden Markram(4) also fell for a wide one from Arshdeep Singh. South Africa took an aggressive decision to push young Tristan Stubbs up the order.
He formed a great partnership with Quinton de Kock. Both of them put on a 58-run partnership for 3rd wicket. Stubbs fell after scoring good 31 from 21 balls for a rash shot against Axar Patel. At this moment, Heinrich Klaasen came to the crease and started to take the game away from India. He took on spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel for the cleaners.
At this moment, Arshdeep dismissed Quinton de Kock(39) but Klaasen looked unstoppable. He smacked 52 runs within 27 balls. David Miller aided him with 21 from 17 balls. But the man who got heavily trolled in IPL 2024, Hardik Pandya became rescuer for India dismissing both of them at crucial junctures, one in 17th over and other in 20th over.
Suryakumar Yadav held on to a stunner on 19.1 ball to dismiss Miller which will be remembered like Sreeshanth’s final ball catch against Pakistan from 2007 final. Jasprit Bumrah made it tough in 18th over and Arshdeep followed it up with 4-run over in 19th to set it up for Hardik Pandya in 20th. India showed great character to believe till the final ball and pull off an improbable 7 run victory.
At one moment, South Africa required just 26 runs from 24 balls and pacers turned it around from that moment to a glorious victory. Virat Kohli won the Player of the Match and announced his retirement from T20Is giving way to youngsters. After Sachin, he got his dream to retire from Internationals with an ICC trophy to his name. Bumrah deservingly won Player of the Series.
Rohit Sharma realised his long awaited dream of winning an ICC Trophy and that too as a captain. While South Africa did everything right, they just did not show enough nerves to push themselves over the line. Still, India will remember this victory for ages. Congratulations to T20I World Champions 2024. Last but not least, not to forget, Rahul Dravid signed off with a World Cup from National duties. Well deserved!!