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T20 World Cup final, Barbados
India 176-7 (20 overs): Kohli 76 (59), Axar 47 (31); Maharaj 2-23, Nortje 2-26
South Africa 169-8 (20 overs): Klaasen 52 (27)
India won by seven runs
India ended their 13-year wait for a world title by fighting back to beat South Africa in a thrilling T20 World Cup final.
The Proteas needed 26 from 24 balls in pursuit of 177, but the wicket of Heinrich Klaasen for 52 from 27 swung a dramatic game in India’s favour.
Arshdeep Singh conceded only four from the penultimate over, leaving Hardik Pandya to defend 16 from the last.
David Miller was sensationally caught by Suryakumar Yadav at long-off for 21 from the first ball before India closed out a seven-run win.
It sparked jubilant scenes among the India players and fans in Barbados, including superstar Virat Kohli, who dragged his side to 176-7 with 76 off 58.
For South Africa it was a horrible defeat that brought back all of the pain of World Cups past.
In the end Hardik was in tears.
He was part of the India side that lost the 50-over World Cup final to Australia on home soil eight months ago. This was their glorious redemption in the Caribbean.
The game looked done during Klaasen’s onslaught but Hardik removed him by finding a thin edge through to wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant.
Even as Klaasen slumped off, South Africa remained favourites.
They have done so much to banish the one cruel reputation of choking that follows their cricket team around.
In the end, up against some superb bowling from Jasprit Bumrah, who took 2-18 in a high-scoring game, they faltered again at the last.
In the final moments, Kagiso Rabada edged a four and Hardik bowled a wide, leaving eight needed from the last two balls before Radaba was caught at long-off.
India have so much in their favour – a team of superstars chosen from population of 1.4 billion and the largest proportion of the revenue generated in the game.
As they celebrated, none of that mattered. It was an occasion of pure sporting drama and relief.
English (US)