India pulled off a sensational seven-run victory against South Africa in a gripping final of the Twenty20 World Cup on Saturday, marking their second T20 World Cup win and their first world title in 13 years. The dramatic finish saw India defending a modest total of 176-7, with South Africa falling just short at 169-8, despite a strong start.
South Africa, competing in its first-ever final of an ICC tournament, needed a run-a-ball 30 to win, anchored by Heinrich Klaasen’s aggressive 52 off 27 balls. However, Indian bowlers Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya, who collectively took seven wickets, turned the game around in the death overs. Bumrah’s exceptional bowling in the 17th and 19th overs, where he conceded only six runs, and Pandya’s crucial wicket of Klaasen shifted the momentum back to India.
David Miller’s valiant effort, scoring 21 runs, couldn’t get South Africa across the finish line. Arshdeep Singh’s tight bowling in the penultimate over, conceding just four runs, left Pandya with 16 runs to defend in the final over. Pandya sealed the win on the first ball of the last over when Suryakumar Yadav made a spectacular catch to dismiss Miller, sparking celebrations among the Indian team and fans.
Earlier, India’s innings was anchored by Virat Kohli, who announced this would be his last T20 international. Kohli’s 76 off 59 balls, including six fours and two sixes, came when India was struggling at 34-3. Axar Patel’s quickfire 47 off 31 balls helped stabilize the innings, with the pair adding 72 runs together. Kohli’s acceleration in the latter part of the innings included big sixes off Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, propelling India to a competitive total.
Shivam Dube’s 27 off 16 balls in the final overs ensured India added 58 runs in the last five overs. However, India’s start was shaky. After Kohli’s aggressive opening against Jansen, Keshav Maharaj struck twice in his first over, dismissing captain Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant. Klaasen’s brilliance in the field was evident as he took crucial catches to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav and contribute to Patel’s run-out with Quinton de Kock’s sharp throw.
The victory was met with emotional celebrations across India. Fans danced on tabletops, hugged each other in sports bars, and took to the streets at midnight to celebrate. News channels replayed scenes of fans performing Hindu fire rituals, urging divine intervention for the team’s victory. Images of Rohit Sharma, who scored three half-centuries in the tournament, holding the World Cup trophy adorned with flower garlands, symbolized the nation’s joy and pride.
India’s path to the final included a significant win against defending champions England in the semi-final in Guyana, maintaining an unbeaten record throughout the tournament. This World Cup victory is particularly poignant as it might be the last for 37-year-old Rohit Sharma, with the next T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026. Rohit was part of India’s first T20 World Cup triumph in 2007 and their ODI World Cup win in 2011 under Dhoni.
Reflecting on past disappointments, India’s semi-final losses in the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup, and last year’s ODI final defeat, made this victory even sweeter for the fans who had waited 13 years for another major title. The scenes of joy and the memories of past triumphs and heartbreaks highlight the emotional rollercoaster of Indian cricket.
As India celebrates this remarkable win, it’s not just a cricket victory but a testament to resilience, teamwork, and the unifying power of sports in bringing a nation together in joy and pride.