OTD 2024: India win T20 World Cup, end 11-year drought for ICC title

On June 29, 2024, India made history at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and ending an 11-year wait for an ICC title. The Men in Blue defeated South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling last-over final to win their second T20 World Cup title, following the MS Dhoni-led team’s victory in 2007.

Since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013, India has reached several knockout stages but has yet to go to the final. However, with Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, the ambition was ultimately realised. This was the ideal way for Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja to conclude their T20I career. Their last accolade in the shortest format was nothing short of magnificent. Meanwhile, for head coach Rahul Dravid, this was a fitting finale to his two-year tenure.

Kohli-Axar come to rescue following top-order collapse

After electing to bat first, the team had a shocking start as they lost Rohit, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav inside the powerplay. Axar Patel, promoted to No. 5, partnered with Virat Kohli and stitched an important 72-run stand. While Kohli, who didn’t have an ideal campaign leading up to the final, played the anchor role perfectly with his 76 off 59 balls. Axar accelerated with 47 off 31, lacing his innings with one boundary and four sixes. Shivam Dube’s quick 27 pushed India to 176/7 in their allotted 20 overs. For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje picked up two wickets each.

South Africa’s dominant performance with the bat

The Proteas, playing their first-ever World Cup final, looked calm despite losing Reeza Hendricks in the second over. Tristan Stubbs and Quinton de Kock stabilized the innings before Heinrich Klaasen took on the opposition spinners, taking South Africa closer to victory.

India’s comeback in final five overs

With 30 needed off 30 balls and Klaasen batting on a 23-ball fifty, India’s chances of another World Cup defeat were nearing. But ace pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya delivered one of their best spells in this game. Bumrah’s 16th over conceded just four runs. Hardik followed with the wicket of Klaasen in the 17th over, and Bumrah returned to remove Marco Jansen, conceding just two runs in the 18th. Arshdeep, who ended as the leading wicket-taker of the side, made sure to keep the pressure on the Proteas with his 19th over, giving just four runs.

India are crowned champions

South Africa needed 16 off the final over. Pandya, who was coming off a horrific IPL 2024 season, had the responsibility to get the job done. On the very first ball, David Miller tried to go big, only to be caught by Suryakumar Yadav’s relay catch at the boundary line.

The lanky all-rounder produced his next five deliveries to perfection and took the side over the line. Pandya broke down and dropped to the ground. Rohit fell to his knees, hitting the turf in joy. Virat Kohli too broke down. From Bridgetown to all over the world with Indian fans, the celebrations were ecstatic. Across Indian cities, fans danced on the streets, lit fireworks, and waved the tricolour with pride. Social media was flooded with emotional tributes and celebratory posts. The nation’s long wait finally came to an end, leading to a special celebration.