Chak De India!
Well that’s what we have been hearing from the corner of every street, every house, every vehicle that passes by and of course from every Indian cricket fan.
The Indian Cricket Team have successfully ended the 11 year ICC Trophy drought and 13 year World Cup drought by beating South Africa by 7 runs in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Virat Kohli showcased brilliance in his final T20 international appearance, contributing a commanding 76 runs from 59 balls. Reflecting on his farewell, Kohli emphasized, “It’s time for the next generation to take over. It was an open secret, and I would have announced it even if we had lost.“
The game’s momentum shifted dramatically during Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive innings of 52 runs off just 27 balls, posing a serious threat to India’s campaign. However, strategic interventions from Hardik Pandya and astute captaincy from Rohit Sharma, including a crucial over by Axar Patel, swung the momentum back in India’s favor.
The match culminated in a tense finale, where Pandya’s nerve-wracking final over, defending 16 runs, secured India’s victory. This triumph marked India’s first ICC trophy since 2013 and their inaugural T20 World Cup win in the post-IPL era. The celebrations were a mix of relief and joy for Kohli, Rohit, and their teammates, potentially signaling the end of an era for these two stalwarts in T20 cricket.
India’s batting was anchored by Virat Kohli’s composed innings, complemented by Axar Patel’s vital 47 runs from 31 balls, which took them to their highest total in an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final. The bowlers, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and supported by timely contributions from Shivam Dube, maintained pressure on South Africa throughout their chase.
Crucial moments included Bumrah’s pivotal return to the attack and Suryakumar Yadav’s sensational boundary catch off Pandya’s bowling, decisively turning the tide. Despite a shaky start, India recovered to post a formidable total of 176 for 7, courtesy of the partnership between Kohli and Axar.
This victory not only secured India’s place in cricketing history but also provided a fitting farewell to head coach Rahul Dravid, concluding a memorable performance that will be cherished for years to come.
The Sportz Planet,
Atharva Shetye
