India stunned South Africa by clinching their second ICC T20 World Cup title with a thrilling seven-run victory at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday.
After being put into bowl, the Proteas started strong, taking three wickets within the Powerplay. Skipper Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav were all dismissed early. However, India made a solid recovery with Virat Kohli and Axar Patel forging a crucial 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket – the highest by an Indian pair in a T20 World Cup final.
Axar Patel fell after a brisk 47, while Kohli anchored the innings with a 48-ball half-century, finishing on 76. This effort helped India post a competitive total of 176/7 – the highest first-innings score in a final across nine editions.
South Africa’s chase hit a snag with the loss of their fourth wicket at 106. However, Heinrich Klaasen kept hopes alive with a blistering 23-ball half-century, the fastest in any final, steering his team close to the target.
Hardik Pandya delivered the decisive blow at the start of a crucial over, dismissing David Miller with Suryakumar Yadav taking an incredible catch at the long-off boundary. Although Kagiso Rabada managed a boundary and a single off the next three balls, Hardik held his nerve, dismissing Rabada off the penultimate delivery to secure India’s historic victory in Bridgetown.
This is India’s first major title since their ICC Champions Trophy win in 2013 and their second T20 World Cup trophy, the first being their victory over Pakistan in the inaugural final in Johannesburg in 2007.
