The ICC T20 Cricket World Cup 2024 has finally reached its conclusion after India's historic win against South Africa in the final of the competition in Barbados.
Virat Kohli's blistering knock helped India reach a fighting score of 176 runs at the loss of seven wickets.
India have finally broken the 11-year long curse of winning an ICC trophy. They came close in 2023, but fell short against the Aussies in the final of the ODI tournament in Ahmedabad.
The monumental win against the Proteas in Barbados is going to be celebrated for days in the subcontinent as the team has finally stepped up to the expectations of the fans. With the win against South Africa, India also became the first-ever team to win an ICC T20 World Cup undefeated. Rohit Sharma's team weren't bested in a single match throughout the competition, winning all seven games.
The only game wherein the Indians didn't manage a win was against Canada in the group stages, as it was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield in Lauderhill, Florida.
MORE: Relive the final as India beat South Africa, as it happened
India vs South Africa T20 World Cup 2024 Final: Scorecard
India were in trouble early on as they lost three important wickets in Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav. Despite the early blow, the Indians managed to drag themselves back into the game, thanks to Virat Kohli’s stunning 76-run knock. Kohli finally delivered after a run of below-par performances.
In reply, South Africa seemed to be cruising to the target, but the combination of Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh defended 30 runs in the last five overs to take India over the line
- India: 176/7 (Virat Kohli 76, Axar Patel 47, Anrich Nortje 2/26)
- South Africa: 169/7 (Heinrich Klaasen 52, Quinton de Kock 39, Jasprit Bumrah 2/18)
MORE: Full results for the entire T20 World Cup in USA and West Indies
India's journey in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024
The Men in Blue have lifted the prestigious T20 World Cup for the second time in history, winning the trophy after being eluded from the prize for 17 long years. They last won the T20 World Cup back in 2007, when they defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the final.
India’s campaign in the 10th edition of the tournament has been nothing short of a dream, having slayed powerhouses in England, Australia and Pakistan. Let's take a look at India’s complete journey in the competition:
They started their campaign with a comfortable win against Ireland, following which they bested Pakistan in an absolute thriller. India finished on the top of their group with seven points, qualifying for the Super 8 stage comfortably.
In the Super 8s, India won all their games, defeating Afghanistan, Bangladesh and the mighty Australia, avenging their loss from the ODI World Cup final in 2023.
In the semifinal, India once again completed a demolition job, defeating England. Ultimately, they defeated South Africa in the final to complete a historic tournament.