India beat South Africa in T20 by 7 Runs
T20 World Cup final, Barbados
India 176-7 (20 overs): Kohli 76 (59), Axar 47 (31); Maharaj 2-23, Nortje 2-26
South Africa 169-8 (20 overs): Klaasen 52 (27); Hardik 3-20
Finally India won by seven runs
India’s wait is over
India ended their 13-year wait for a world title by fighting back to beat South Africa in a thrilling T20 World Cup final.
The Proteas needed 26 from 24 balls in pursuit of 177, but the wicket of Heinrich Klaasen for 52 from 27 swung a dramatic game in India’s favour.
Arshdeep Singh conceded only four from the penultimate over, leaving Hardik Pandya to defend 16 from the last.
David Miller was sensationally caught by Suryakumar Yadav at long-off for 21 from the first ball before India closed out a seven-run win.
It sparked jubilant scenes among the India players and fans in Barbados, including superstar Virat Kohli, who dragged his side to 176-7 with 76 off 59.
It is India’s second T20 title, having won the inaugural tournament in 2007, and first World Cup win in either format since the 2011 50-over competition.
For South Africa, it was a horrible defeat that brought back all the pain of World Cups past.
South Africa come so close
The Proteas, like India, had progressed to this point unbeaten. They had come through a series of tight games and their semi-final win against Afghanistan was their first victory in the last four of a World Cup in eight attempts.
They slipped to 12-2 early on, Reeza Hendricks sensationally bowled by Bumrah, but fought back to set up a grand stand finale.
Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs struck 39 and 31 respectively, taking down India’s vaunted spinners. That assault was ramped up further by Klaasen, who struck five sixes.
After Klaasen fell, number seven Marco Jansen struggled and was bowled by Bumrah in the 18th over.
India captain Rohit Sharma gambled by using Bumrah’s final over when there were still two to follow. He will have been grateful to 25-year-old left-armer Arshdeep, whose mix of pace in the 19th was superb.
In the closing moments India were just more clinical, no more so than Suryakumar when he juggled the ball on the long-off boundary while keeping his feet in play to dismiss Miller.
This will hurt South Africa just as much, if not more, than those previous semi-final defeats.
‘A special feeling’ – reaction
Player of the match, India batter Virat Kohli: “I am so proud to get the runs for the team on the day it mattered most. We have wanted to lift a trophy for a long time.
“It’s an amazing day, I am so thankful.”
South Africa captain Aiden Markram: “Gutted. We’ve had a great campaign but this hurts.
“South African people are competitive, but they are respectful. We pride ourselves on that. Hopefully moving forward we can learn from this and use it.
“This will always be a proud day for us, regardless.”
India captain Rohit Sharma: “I am so proud of all of my boys and the management for giving us the liberty and trusting in each one of us.”
Player of the tournament, India bowler Jasprit Bumrah: “I am someone who tries to keep my emotions in check but the emotions are taking over right now. This is such a special feeling.”
Indian team played all matches very well- congratulations
Congratulations India
Nice work