Rohit Sharma's men were finally able to end their 11-year-old exile from an ICC title and defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final of the tournament. The Indian team showcased a combined effort and at the end, they defended 177 runs to lift the T20 World Cup trophy for the first time after 2007. Indian batsman Virat Kohli and bowlers showcased performances which proved to be decisive in the match. Jasprit Bumrah Dismisses Reeza Hendricks With Sensational Outswinger During IND vs SA ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Final (Watch Video).

Batting first, Indian batsman Virat Kohli (76) smashed three fours in the first over of Marco Jansen. Kohli showcased a brilliant example of his class and put the South African pacer under pressure. From the other end, Indian captain Rohit Sharma (9)  also hit two boundaries to Keshav Maharaj off the first three balls. However, he couldn't continue the momentum and handed over a catch to Heinrich Klaasen at mid-wicket while trying to sweep Maharaj. The second wicket didn't take too long to come for the Proteas as Rishabh Pant (0) got dismissed for a duck. The Indian team was put under more pressure when in-form batsman Suryakumar Yadav (3) was dismissed to Kagiso Rabada for a score of just three runs. The Rohit Sharma-led side was reduced 34/3 in 4.3 overs. ICC T20 World Cup 2024 Prize Money in Indian Rupees: Check How Much Money in INR Winner and Runner-up Will Receive in T20 Cricket WC.

The Indian team needed something special and that was provided by the pair of Axar Patel and Virat Kohli. The duo added 72 runs from 54 balls for the third wicket, which was a very important partnership for the team at that point. Virat stayed strong at one end whereas, Axar Patel took the chances from the other end and smashed boundaries. Patel was unlucky and got run out by Quinton de Kock after playing a brilliant hand of 47 runs from 31 balls. After Axar Patel's wicket, Shivam Dube joined Virat Kohli at the crease. The Indian team was provided a brilliant finish by Kohli and Dube and at the end they finished their first innings at 176/6.

Chasing down 177 runs, the Proteas weren't off to a decent start as they lost Reeza Hendricks (4) in the second over of their chase. Hendricks tried to defend the ball but Jasprit Bumrah produced a brilliant outswinger and knocked him over for just five runs. Arshdeep Singh provided the Indian team with the second breakthrough when he dismissed Aiden Markram for four runs. Markram tried to chase an outside off-stump ball but it took his edge and went to Rishabh Pant.

The Proteas lost two early wickets for just 12 runs which had put the Indian team on top in the match. The Rohit Sharma-led side would have wanted to put forward some more pressure but firstly, Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs and later Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller put up some important partnerships for their team. Stubbs and de Kock put up a stand of 58 runs from 38 balls whereas Klaasen and Miller added 45 runs from 22 balls. de Kock got dismissed for 39 runs to Arshdeep Singh whereas Stubbs was knocked over by Axar Patel. Klaasen played a brilliant hand of 52 runs from 27 balls and kept the Proteas in the match.

South Africa needed 30 runs from 30 balls and they were favourites to win the match. However, Hardik Pandya had different plans and removed the dangerous man Heinrich Klaasen. Marco Jansen was the next batsman to get dismissed and got cleaned up by Jasprit Bumrah. The Indian team got right back into the match and brought down the equation to 16 runs from the last six balls. On the very first ball of the over, Indian batsman Suryakumar Yadav took an unbelievable catch at long-off to dismiss the danger batsman David Miller which was certainly the last nail in the coffin for the Indian team. In the end, Rohit Sharma's men won the match by seven runs and ended their 11-year-old exile from an ICC title.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 29, 2024 11:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).