India clinched the T20 World Cup title with a thrilling seven-run win over South Africa on Saturday. The final match, held in India, saw South Africa in their first ICC tournament final.
South Africa needed 30 runs from 30 balls to win, thanks to Heinrich Klaasen’s quick 52 off 27 balls. However, Indian bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya took seven crucial wickets, stopping South Africa at 169-8.
Virat Kohli scored 76 runs in what he announced as his final T20 international, helping India reach 176-7. Captain Rohit Sharma chose to bat first after winning the toss.
This victory marks India’s second T20 World Cup win and their first world title in 13 years.
South Africa, unbeaten until the final, was poised to win, reaching 147-4 in 15 overs. Klaasen hit three sixes and a four in one over from Axar Patel, costing India 24 runs.
Jasprit Bumrah allowed only six runs in his next two overs, while Hardik Pandya dismissed Klaasen. David Miller, scoring 21, couldn’t secure the win as Arshdeep Singh conceded just four runs in the penultimate over.
Pandya then defended 16 runs in the last over, with Suryakumar Yadav’s catch off Miller sealing the victory for India.
Earlier, India struggled at 34-3 but Kohli’s 76 off 59 balls, including six fours and two sixes, and Patel’s quick 47 off 31 balls helped rebuild the innings. Kohli and Patel shared a crucial 72-run partnership.
Kohli hit big sixes off Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen before getting out in the penultimate over. Shivam Dube added 27 off 16 balls, contributing to India’s strong finish of 58 runs in the last five overs.
Despite South Africa’s strong fielding, with key catches and a direct hit run-out by Quinton de Kock, India’s bowlers held their nerve to secure the World Cup title.
