How India Defended 30 Runs in 30 Balls to Claim T20 World Cup Glory!

For Indian cricket fans, the sight of MS Dhoni lifting the inaugural T20 World Cup trophy in 2007 remains an unforgettable memory. Fast forward to 29th June 2024, and history repeated itself as another Indian captain finally ended the 17-year drought, lifting the T20 World Cup trophy once more. The Finals against South Africa were a rollercoaster of emotions as with just 30 runs needed from the last 30 balls, fans couldn’t help but relive the heartbreak of 19th November 2023, when Australia dashed India’s ODI World Cup dreams in the final moments. But this time, fate had other plans as a blend of teamwork, grit, and the collective prayers of millions turned the tide in India’s favor. Let’s dive into the unforgettable evening that united a nation in joy.

T20 World Cup 2024 Finals: India vs South Africa

On 29th June 2024, all eyes were on the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, as India and South Africa clashed in the final of the T20 World Cup. India marched into the big game with a commanding 68-run victory over England in the semi-finals, while South Africa cruised past Afghanistan with a 9-wicket win. For India, this was more than just a match as it was a shot at ending a 10-year wait for an ICC trophy. For South Africa, it was a chance to silence their critics and finally shed the dreaded “Chokers” tag.

India won the toss and chose to bat, walking out with their veteran openers, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, ready to set the stage. The start was explosive, with 23 runs coming off the first 8 balls, raising hopes for a big total, but the joy was short-lived as Rohit, looking to capitalize, attempted a sweep but found Heinrich Klaasen, ending his quick knock of 9 runs off 5 balls. Moments later, Rishabh Pant departed for a golden duck, leaving India reeling at 23/2 in just two overs.

The pressure mounted as Suryakumar Yadav joined Kohli, and fans hoped for a steadying partnership. However, Kagiso Rabada had other plans, dismissing Suryakumar for a mere 3 runs off 4 balls. With India at 34/3, the early momentum had turned into deep trouble, leaving Kohli with the task of anchoring a sinking ship. Between all this, captain Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid decided for a surprise as Axar Patel was promoted up in the order and started taking on the South African bowlers.

India reached the 100-run mark in the 13th over, thanks to Axar Patel’s aggressive batting, while Virat Kohli played a cautious yet steady hand. Just as Axar seemed poised for a well-deserved fifty, a mix-up on the third ball of the 14th over led to a heartbreaking run-out on an overthrow, ending his brilliant knock of 47 off 31 balls. The score stood at 106/4, and the pressure was back on India.

Virat Kohli, now set, brought up his half-century off 48 balls and shifted gears, taking on the bowlers alongside Shivam Dube. The duo added crucial runs, with Dube’s quickfire 27 off 16 providing a much-needed boost. Kohli’s masterful 76 off 59 balls anchored the innings, helping India finish at a competitive 176/7 in 20 overs. For South Africa, the chase was going to be a tricky one as the pitch supported initial movement for the pacers.

South Africa’s chase got off to a rocky start as Jasprit Bumrah delivered a peach of a delivery to clean bowl Reeza Hendricks for just 4 runs. In the very next over, Arshdeep Singh piled on the pressure, dismissing captain Aiden Markram for the same score. At 14/2 after three overs, South Africa looked in trouble. However, Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs joined forces, steadily rebuilding the innings with some smart batting.

By the end of the 8th over, they had taken the score to 62/2, giving South Africa a glimmer of hope. But just as the partnership started to look dangerous, captain Rohit Sharma turned to his dependable spinner, Axar Patel, who struck in the 9th over, removing Stubbs for a brisk 31 off 21 balls. South Africa was now 71/3 and the drama didn’t end there as Heinrich Klaasen walked in and teamed up with de Kock, accelerating the run rate and taking the team to a promising 101/3 in just 12 overs.

But Rohit, known for his tactical acumen, played his cards wisely again as he brought back Arshdeep Singh, who delivered a crucial blow by getting de Kock caught on the boundary for 39 off 31 balls. The game was perfectly poised at 109/4 in the 13th over, and the pressure was back on South Africa. With 54 needed off 36, Rohit Sharma turned to Axar Patel to tackle the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller. But Klaasen had other plans, unleashing a brutal assault on Axar, smashing 24 runs in a single over and reducing the target to just 30 from 30 balls.

Story of Last 30 Balls

After Axar Patel’s expensive over, the odds heavily favored South Africa, needing just 30 runs from 30 balls with two set batters at the crease. It felt like the game was slipping away, but Rohit Sharma turned to his trump card, Jasprit Bumrah as the ace pacer delivered a brilliant 16th over, conceding only 4 runs, while Heinrich Klaasen reached a well-earned half-century. Then came a sudden twist as before the 17th over, Rishabh Pant’s knee niggle briefly halted play, creating an unexpected distraction. Hardik Pandya capitalized on the moment, striking gold with his very first ball, dismissing the dangerous Klaasen for a blistering 52 off 27.

South Africa stumbled to 151/4, and Jasprit Bumrah added to their woes in the next over by dismissing Marco Jansen for 2 off 4 balls. With the equation now at 20 runs needed from the last 2 overs, the pressure mounted. Arshdeep Singh, calm under pressure, delivered a clutch 19th over, conceding only 4 runs, leaving South Africa needing 16 off the final 6 balls to claim their maiden T20 World Cup title.

Rohit Sharma entrusted the responsibility of the last over to Hardik Pandya, knowing David Miller, South Africa’s finisher, was on strike. The first ball added to the drama as Hardik bowled a low full toss, and Miller launched it high and wide towards long-off. For a moment, it seemed destined for the stands, but Suryakumar Yadav had other plans. Sprinting at full pace from wide long-off, he leaped and snatched the ball mid-air, teetering near the rope. In one seamless motion, he lobbed it back into play before tumbling over and completing the catch upon his return, pulling off an unbelievable save.

With 15 runs needed from the final 5 balls, Hardik Pandya held his nerve, dismissing Kagiso Rabada on the penultimate delivery. South Africa fell 7 runs short, sparking a wave of emotions across the Indian team. As the final wicket fell, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and the rest of the team erupted in joy, embracing each other in celebration of a historic victory. The crowd roared as India ended a 17-year wait to lift the T20 World Cup again. Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match for his composed knock of 76 runs, while Rohit Sharma etched his name in history as the World Cup-winning captain.