India joins England and West Indies on list after winning second T20 World Cup title
The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, witnessed a thrilling finale as Team India claimed their second T20 World Cup title. Seventeen years after winning the inaugural 2007 edition, India edged out South Africa by seven runs in a nail-biting match that went down to the last over.
India’s victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup marks their first major title in over a decade. After heartbreaking losses in the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals in 2023, this win brought immense joy and relief to Indian cricket fans. India is now the third team to win the men’s T20 World Cup twice, joining West Indies and England. The West Indies won in 2012 and 2016, while England clinched the title in 2010 and 2022.
Virat Kohli led the charge with the bat, scoring a brilliant 76 off 59 balls to help India post a competitive total of 176/7. Kohli received crucial support from Axar Patel, who scored 47 off 31 balls, and Shivam Dube, who contributed 27 off 16 balls.
In the defense, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh gave India a perfect start, taking early wickets and putting South Africa on the back foot. Despite a strong fightback from Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller, India held their nerve. With 26 runs needed off the last 24 balls, Hardik Pandya, Bumrah, and Arshdeep scripted a sensational comeback.
In the final over, Pandya defended 16 runs, with Suryakumar Yadav pulling off a spectacular catch to dismiss Miller and seal the win for India. This victory also served as a perfect farewell gift to Head Coach Rahul Dravid, ending his tenure on a high note.