Virat Kohli’s 76 of 59 helped India win their second ICC World T20 title, beating South Africa by seven runs. Since winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013, Kohli & India has been looking to end its 11-year drought without a trophy. South Africa was looking to become just the seventh nation to win this tournament.
It was India who won the toss and elected to bat first.
Kohli got off to a fast start with three fours in the opening over.
But India lost their Captain to a sharp catch by Heinrich Klassen at 23-1.
Followed by Rishabh Pant at 23-2.
Kohli continued to take on the bowling.
But India lost Suryakumar Yadav to a good catch by Klassen fielding at Fine Leg at 34-3.
Axar Patel continued to take on the bowling.
While Kohli was batting as if he were on a different planet.
Axar was chancing his arm with every stroke.
But a misunderstanding with Kohli led to him being run out for 47 at 106-4.
Shivam Dube hit some powerful blows.
He was looking in delicate touch.
Kohli’s dominance continued as he hit his first six off Kagiso Rabada.
But his superb innings of 76 was ended by Marco Jansen, at 163-5.
Anrich Nortje ended Dube’s cameo of 27 from 16 at 174-6.
And Ravindra Jadeja was the last man out, as India ended their innings on 176-7.
This was a very good score from the Men in Blue. Could South Africa chase it down?
Well, they did not get off to the best of starts, as Jasprit Bumrah comprehensively bowled Reeza Hendricks for four at 4-1.
Arshdeep Singh gave India a double boost, with the wicket of Aiden Markram at 12-2.
Tristan Stubbs and Quinton de Kock got South Africa back on track with a partnership of 58 from 38 balls.
But Stubbs’s overconfidence got the better of him, as Axar Patel castled him for 31 at 70-3.
Heinrich Klassen went into beast mode.
it looked as if he and Quinton de Kock were starting to take the game away from India.
But the left-hander ended up pulling Arshdeep straight to Kuldeep Yadav at fine leg, with South Africa 106-4.
South Africa was reeling, and India was on the ascendancy.
But David Miller pulled the Proteas back into the match with his aggressive stroke play.
Klassen continued to torment India’s bowlers.
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When he reached 50 in just 23 balls, it looked as if he was going to make South Africa over the finishing line.
But Hardik Pandya gave India the crucial breakthrough when he dismissed the right-hander for 52 at 151-5.
Bumrah made it a double delight for India with the wicket of Jansen at 156-6.
And then came the match-defining moment, where South Africa required 16 runs for victory off the last over, bowled by Pandya.
Miller had no choice but to go for a boundary off the first ball. Unfortunately, he was denied by a spectacular catch by Suryakumar Yadav on the boundary at 161-7.
Rabada had no choice but to hit a boundary but was caught by SKY at long of, with South Africa 168-8.
But South Africa’s chase was in vain, as India closed out the match to seal only their second World T20 Title.
They now join England and the West Indies, with two titles each.
Commiserations to South Africa, who had reached just their second Final after winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 1998.
Reaction:
“I’ve loved every moment of this,” “I started my India career playing this format. This is what I wanted. I wanted to win the cup and say thank you.””I wanted to make the most of it. And this was our aim. We wanted to lift the cup.
Sharma: BBC Sport
Kohli Says goodbye to T20Is.
Kohli was the Man Of the Match, and he made an official retirement statement in th presentation ceremony.
“This is my last T20 game playing for India, my last World Cup I was going to play. “I’m really grateful I was able to get the job done for the team when it mattered the most.”
Kohli: BBC Sport
A dejected Aiden Markram was proud of his side’s performance in this tournament.
“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.”
Markam BBC Sport
Hopefully, they can break their trophy drought sooner rather than later.
India’s ace speedster was the Man of the Tournament and showed why he is such a special player.
“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.”
Bumrah: BBC Sport
It was a special performance from a team determined to bring success back to their nation after 11 years.
For more information on the ICC T20 World Cup, visit World In Sport.
