INDIA CROWNED T20 WC IN FAIRY-TALE FINISH TO ROHIT-VIRAT ERA

In a dream come true, Team India finally regained the ‘World Champions’ tag by defeating South Africa in a sensational final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. In pipping the Proteas by 7 runs, India not only ended the 11-year-long wait for an ICC trophy but also provided a fairy tale ending to the T20 careers of two legends of the game - skipper Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli who both retired from the format on a triumphant note.

In an unforgettable clash of fluctuating fortunes at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, India held their nerve at the end of a nail-biting thriller. The epic encounter pushed South Africa towards agony but enabled India to claim the T20 World Cup for the second time – 17 long years after Team India had won the inaugural edition under MS Dhoni.

Opting to bat first, India got off to a sparkling start as Rohit and Virat hit 23 runs in the first 10 balls. But as Rohit, Rishab Pant and Suryakumar Yadav fell in quick succession, India was left reeling at 34/3. Despite his poor form till the final, King Kohli now stepped forward to rebuild the innings. In the company of floater Axar Patel, who was promoted to number five, Kohli held the Indian innings together.

In a breezy but critical partnership, Virat-Axar got 72 priceless runs in 9 overs to push India towards a formidable score. Axar’s aggressive knock of 47 ended with a run out triggered by a moment of brilliance by keeper de Kock. Virat then took over the role of the aggressor and ultimately his mature, masterly 76 in 59 balls was the fulcrum around which Team India was able to reach a fighting total of 176/7.

The South African chase got off to a stuttering start as the everbrilliant Jasprit Bumrah knocked out Reeza Hendricks in his first over. With Arshdeep soon removing captain Markram, the Proteas were reduced to 12/2. Veteran keeper-batter Quenton de Kock, however, engineered a terrific recovery first in the company of Tristian Stubbs and then with the dangerous hitter Henrik Klassen.

As the Klassen-de Kock duo took South Africa to 105-3 in 12 overs, the Proteas seemed set for a win. Despite de Kock’s departure, Klassen kept hitting Indian spinners all around the park - his five monsterous sixes powered him to a 27-ball 52 which left South Africa needing just 26 runs off the last four overs.

With Klassen and experienced David Miller attacking, the Proteas were now tipped as favourites to win. But Indian pacers had different ideas and came up with a vice-like squeeze in the final overs that left the Proteas shellshocked. First, Hardik Pandya got rid of Klassen and then as Arshdeep Singh and the absolutely terrific Bumrah delivered for Team India, South Africa were left rather clueless. By the start of the final over, the pendulum had swung in India’s favour. But as South Africa needed 16 runs off the last six deliveries, one big hit could still have dramatically changed the game. And the Proteas nearly managed it as Miller hit the first ball towards long-off which seemed to be sailing for a six. But Suryakumar Yadav pulled off a marvellous catch on the boundary, skipping in and out of the rope.

Surya’s sensational, acrobatic effort forced Miller to walk back to the pavilion and virtually sealed an Indian win. Five balls later, with Pandya conceding just eight more runs, India had stolen victory, and the World Cup, by seven runs – a victory that seemed remote till just four overs earlier!

India’s thrilling win has triggered massive celebrations. The triumphant Indian team celebrated at the Kensington Oval for nearly four hours - as players grooved to their favourite tunes, Bhangra and fist bumps were seen all around. Even the normally reserved coach Rahul Dravid let his emotions out for once! Scenes of jubilation were also seen across India as people in most cities took to the streets, dancing with joy and bursting crackers.

This historic triumph, however, has become a bitter-sweet moment as Rohit and Kohli have decided to end their T20 careers. Through their batting genius and captaincy skills, the ‘Ro-Ko’ duo have made phenomenal contributions to Indian cricket that is second to none over the past decade. While filling up the large vacuum they leave will be a tough task, its great that Virat and Rohit are retiring at the pinnacle of their T20 careers!

The fabulous victory at the T20 World Cup marks a huge redemption from the heartbreaking loss of the ODI World Cup final last year. Hopefully, the World Champions tag will now become a regular habit for Team India!

Siddhaarth Mahan The writer is a specialist on Sports and Cinema who works as an actor in the Hindi film industry, recently he was in New York for the World Cup coverage