Rain mirrored the tears shed by South Africa after one of their biggest mistakes cost them their first World Cup trophy and handed India the victory on a tense day in Bridgetown at Kensington Oval.
It was a sucker strike for South Africa, who had for so long had their hefty target of 177 in their sights. After Hardik Pandya quietly removed the penultimate over, the tailenders needed to score 16 off five. Bridgetown witnessed the first indications of Storm Beryl moments after the winning run. Miller was seen crying on a teammate’s shoulder, and there were tears in the eyes of other teammates as well. It was a cruel and depressing end for a team that had battled its way to its first World Cup championship.
South Africa’s captain, Aiden Markram, described it as “gut-wrenching.” To reach their first final, the lads had each undergone a unique trip. Your emotions are heightened when you get that close and understand how the game works. From now on, we must direct it.
There should have been another event. Heinrich Klaasen and Miller were dominating, and with six wickets in hand at 147 for 4, they needed thirty off five overs. It looked as though India was losing after Klaasen hammered Axar Patel for 24 runs in one over. Not even when Japrit Bumrah bowled an over for four runs. That was something South Africa could afford.
Even with only 26 needed as opposed to 24, they maintained control. But after attempting to tackle Pandya’s wide ball—his first of the championship—Klaasen sliced one behind. Maybe on another day, it would have sailed off the edge for four. South Africa lost three of its seventeen matches by slim margins, as if the match was slipping away.
Also read: Aiden Markram says of his heartbreaking T20 World Cup final defeat
India made up for their loss in the October World Cup final in front of a 100,000-strong home audience. In the end, Virat Kohli (76 off 59, almost completing the innings) and Jasprit Bumrah (2 for 18 off four overs) carried them home. If it had been a different day, Kohli’s team would not have won the title, despite his slowest T20 fifty for India earning him man of the match.
Nevertheless, he reached a reasonable scoring rate with a late surge of 26 from 11 balls after hitting one four in 35 balls. Bumrah, who took out Klaasen and Miller with three for 20, was the player of the match; his first wicket was one of the best deliveries in any final. Pandya, on the other hand, took out Miller with three for 20.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma declared their retirement from the game’s shortest format following the win. After winning, Ravindra Jadeja bowed to T20Is one day later. “With immense gratitude, I bid adieu to T20 internationals.” Like a proud and unwavering horse, I have always given my all for my nation and I will continue to do so in many capacities.
My T20 International career reached its zenith when I won the T20 World Cup, which was a dream come true. I am grateful for the experiences, the encouragement, and the constant support. Jai hind, “Jadeja wrote on her Instagram page.
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