In a pulsating match that went down to the wire, India secured their second Twenty20 World Cup title with a dramatic seven-run victory over South Africa on Saturday. The result remained uncertain until the final over, as South Africa needed 16 runs to win.
Heinrich Klaasen had brought South Africa tantalizingly close with a blistering 52 from 27 balls, including five sixes. However, in the final over, David Miller’s attempt to clear the boundary was thwarted by Suryakumar Yadav’s acrobatic catch at long-off, which saw him juggle the ball back into play before completing the catch after toppling over the ropes.
With two boundaries needed from the last two balls to force a Super Over, Kagiso Rabada’s dismissal on the penultimate delivery sealed the win for India, sparking jubilant celebrations among Indian supporters.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India posted 176 for seven, with Virat Kohli returning to form with a crucial 76 off 59 balls. Despite a shaky start, Kohli anchored the innings, accelerating in the latter stages. He signaled his intent early with three boundaries in Marco Jansen’s opening over but saw his team struggle as Keshav Maharaj struck back, dismissing Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant cheaply.
Suryakumar Yadav’s dismissal left India reeling at 45 for three after the powerplay. Axar Patel and Kohli then steadied the ship, with Patel scoring 47 before being run out. Kohli continued to dominate, bringing up his half-century and smashing Jansen for six before falling for 76.
Jasprit Bumrah delivered a masterclass with the ball, taking two for 18, including the key wicket of Reeza Hendricks. Despite Quinton de Kock’s aggressive knock and Klaasen’s heroics, South Africa fell short. Bumrah’s final spell, which saw him bowl Jansen and concede just two runs, proved decisive.
Named player of the tournament, Bumrah reflected on his performance, stating, “I tried to keep calm. On the big day, you have to give more. Throughout the tournament, I felt very clear and calm.”
Virat Kohli, named man-of-the-match, announced his retirement from T20 Internationals after the victory, capping India’s unbeaten run through the tournament. The win marked India’s first global title since the 2013 Champions Trophy, leaving their players in tears of joy. In contrast, the South African team was left to reflect on another near miss.
“Gutted. It will take some time for us to reflect on this,” said South Africa skipper Aiden Markram. “We’ve had a great campaign, but for the time being, this hurts. I am so proud of all my players and everyone involved in this team.”
