Debasis Sen in Birmingham
A year ago, on this day, the Indian cricket team, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma etched a glorious chapter in history by winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados. In a nerve-wracking final against South Africa, India emerged victorious by 7 runs, completing a perfect redemption arc for three stalwarts of Indian cricket—Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Head Coach Rahul Dravid. Their triumph was especially poignant, coming just months after the heartbreak of losing the 2023 ODI World Cup final to Australia in Ahmedabad.
The build-up to the final was nothing short of a festival. From early morning, the streets outside Kensington Oval buzzed with excitement, flooded with fans—mostly Indians—who had flown in from places like New York, Miami, and various corners of the globe. The air was electric with anticipation, and the sea of blue jerseys easily outnumbered the green of the South African supporters. My colleague, Ishaan Sahane, and I soaked in the carnival-like atmosphere, capturing moments that would become lifetime memories.
Once the match began, it was a rollercoaster of emotions. India, batting first, put up a solid total of 176/7. The innings was anchored by a vintage Virat Kohli, who scored a masterful 76 off 59 balls in what would be his final T20 International. Axar Patel played a pivotal role as well, with a gritty 47 off 31 deliveries, while Shivam Dube’s explosive 27 from just 16 balls gave India the finishing flourish they needed.
South Africa’s chase started on a shaky note, losing Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram early. But Quinton de Kock (39 off 31) and Tristan Stubbs (31 off 21) steadied the innings with a 58-run partnership. Heinrich Klaasen then lit up the Oval with a blistering 52 from 27 balls, supported by David Miller (21 off 17), bringing South Africa within touching distance of a historic win.
With 16 runs required off the final over, Hardik Pandya was handed the ball. On the very first delivery, David Miller aimed to clear the boundary with a powerful shot down the ground. What followed was one of the most breathtaking moments in cricket history. Suryakumar Yadav, showing incredible presence of mind and athleticism, caught the ball inches from the boundary, momentarily stepped over the rope, tossed it in the air, and completed the catch after re-entering the field. That catch turned the tide. The Proteas’ lower order crumbled under pressure, handing India a thrilling 7-run win.
As the celebrations erupted, emotions flowed freely. A teary-eyed Rohit Sharma embraced Rahul Dravid. Virat Kohli indulged in a joyous bhangra with the younger players, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who hadn’t featured in a single match, proudly waved the tricolour around the ground. For Rohit and Kohli, it was the perfect swansong to T20Is—ending their illustrious careers in the format with a world title and the adoration of millions. The moment will live on forever in the hearts of Indian cricket fans.
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