India Triumphs in Tense ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final, Defeating South Africa by Seven Runs

India staged a gallant fightback to win the International Cricket Council Men’s T20 World Cup with a tense victory by seven runs over South Africa in a gripping final at Kensington Oval today.

In clinching their second T20 World Cup, India had to pull out all the stops after South Africa appeared to be favourites when they required 30 runs from just as many balls, having reached 147 for four from 15 overs in pursuit of 177.

Ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah delivered two telling overs, conceding only four runs in the 16th and 18 overs while claiming a wicket before a packed ground that included many Indian supporters.

With fast medium Hardik Pandya removing the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen for 52 off 27 balls and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh sending down a tight penultimate over that cost four runs, the match took a twist with South Africa needing 16 runs from the last over.

It meant that only 14 runs were scored in the four overs ahead of the last over.

India took a huge step towards victory with the first ball of the last over when Suryakumar Yadav held a superb catch on the long-off boundary. He initially caught ball, released it, stepped over the boundary, stepped back into the field of play and caught the ball again.

In the end, South Africa, appearing in their first global final, could only manage eight runs from the last over to finish on 169 for eight.

India’s total of 176 for seven was built around Man-of-the-Match Virat Kohli’s 75 off 59 balls and important contributions from Axar Patel who made 47 from 31 balls and Shivam Dube with 27 off 16 balls.

The trio revived India who were reeling on 34 for three after they were sent in. (HG)