South Africa added another entry into their long history of chokes to hand India the World Cup title in a tense final in Bridgetown.
India captain Rohit Sharma fell to the turf and lay face down as his team-mates cavorted around the Kensington Oval celebrating a seven run win that brought their first World Cup title in any format since 2011.
A terrific final was won by one of the great catches off the first ball of the last over when South Africa needed 16 to win. Suryakumar Yadav on the boundary clung on to a big hit from South Africas last specialist batsman, David Miller. He ran from wide long off, tossed the ball in the air as his momentum took him over the rope, and calmly caught the rebound.
It was a gut punch for South Africa. With 16 now needed off five they just ran out of puff as Hardik Pandya bowled out the final over and seconds after the winning moment, rain fell matching South Africas tears – Miller crying on a team-mates shoulder after the match.
At 151 for four chasing 177 to win, South Africa were cruising. Miller and Heinrich Klaasen had smashed Indias spinners, who conceded 106 off nine overs, and the target was down to 26 off 23. But Klaasen nicked a wide ball from Pandya and South Africa collapsed, losing three for 17 and in the end India were carried home by their superstars: Virat Kohli with 76 to rescue an early collapse and Jasprit Bumrah with two for 18 off four overs.
Swathes of India fans made it to the Kensington Oval, many booking their trips from the United States and Britain months in advance in anticipation of their team making it this far.
It was never really in doubt. They had a 100 percent record at the World Cup, and only Pakistan came close to beating them over the course of the month.
Yes they had every advantage as if they were the hosts not West Indies with consistent morning start times and clearly defined venues all the way through, but a team as good as this does not need help from administrators bending the knee to Indias broadcast might.
Bumrah needed three balls to send down one of the best deliveries seen in a final. Reeza Hendricks was the victim. The ball angled in, swung away late and hit off stump.
Tristan Stubbs and Quinton De Kock started the rebuild and South Africa were in front at the halfway stage, 81-3 compared to Indias 75 for three. In T20 an asking rate of 96 off the last ten overs with wickets in hand is very gettable.
But this was a final. South Africa had never been in this position before and we know their problem with the C-word – choke. The brute force of Klaasen seemed to be taking them home. He slotted Ravi Jadeja for a straight six and lifted Kuldeep Yadav over the cover boundary with the best shot of the day and dispatched Axar Patels final over for 24 – including two sixes and a four that unnerved the bowler so much he sent down two wides trying desperately to keep the ball out of his arc.
Now it was a run a ball – 30 off 30. Now this was choke territory. Klaasen survived Bumrahs third over but feathered a cut behind off the first ball of the match from Pandya Eight came off the next two overs as the wobble set in.
Bumrah bowled a pivotal 18th over with 22 needed off 18 balls. South Africa could not afford to lose wickets considering the length of their tail. The fourth ball, straight and fast, ripped through Marco Jansens defence hitting off stump.
Keshav Maharaj took a single off Bumrahs final ball, a bad piece of game management because with two overs left they needed Miller on strike. It took him three balls to get down the right end. When he did he could only eke out a single, leaving 16 off the final over that was just too much.
Kohlis slowest T20 fifty for India glued the innings but chewed up balls. He was gifted three juicy half volley fours to race to 15 off five but hit just one more boundary in his next 35 balls as he reached a half century. A late flurry, which included his only six, gave him 26 off 11.
Patel made a crucial 47 outscoring Kohli as he took the initiative in a stand of 72. A dozy run out when he hesitated and De Kock hit the stumps at the non-strikers end was sloppy and South Africa should have kept the target below 170 but Marco Jansens nervy last over went for 17 and it proved costly.
India are crowned T20 World Cup CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/KA7YWkxSh6
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
Very hard to sum up what weve been through for the last few years. We worked hard. A lot has gone on behind the scenes. Its not what we did today, its what weve done in the last few years.
Weve played a lot of high pressure games and weve been on the wrong side of it so the guys so understand what needs to be done.
We stuck together as a team even thought at one point it looked like it was going South Africas way and we wanted this really bad.
We wanted to win this, to win a tournament like this, Im very proud of the boys we have and the management as well.
Gutted. It will take some time for us to reflect on this. Weve had a great campaign but for the time being, this hurts. I am so proud of all my players and everyone involved in this team.
We bowled very well, the pitch didnt give them much to work with. We thought it was a chaseable total. It was a great game of cricket, Im chuffed with all my guys, its hard not to get over the line but Ill always be proud of them.
Weve seen that its not over until the last ball for a lot of our games. It changed quickly at the end there. But we were in a great position. We know we couldve won the game.
One thing you can guarantee from South African people is that they 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.
“Incredibly proud” Aiden Markram on South Africa’s World Cup campaign pic.twitter.com/t3CAnmu1ML
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
These will be heartbreaking moments for the South African team to walk past the trophy and have to accept runners-up medals after a narrow defeat. Captain Aiden Markram is speaking to Ian Bishop.
What a journey it’s been for South Africa pic.twitter.com/5CDmGMnOW2
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
South Africa needed just 26 runs from 24 balls with Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller flying along. The wicket of Klaasen sparked a complete shift in momentum. South Africa really should not have lost that game from the position they were in with four overs remaining.
Usually, Im the one that tries to keep my emotions in check and focus on the job but today I dont have a lot of words. The emotions are taking over.
I usually dont cry after a game but this feels really special. At the midway stage we felt like we were in trouble but to pull off a win like this is an unreal feeling.
Im over the moon. My son is here. My family is here and I felt like I could do something special for India. Theres no better feeling.
I was trying to keep myself in a bubble, when it comes the big day you have to try and do what youve been doing. Over the tournament I felt really clear and calm. Whenever Im at my peak I just think about it one over and one ball at a time.
Emotions can take over but you have to keep yourself in check. Now, we can scream and shout.
Emotion. Elation. Joy. #T20WorldCup | #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/n5yFaQVrmV
T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 29, 2024
Jasprit Bumrah. He has been superb.
“It’s an unreal feeling” Player of the Tournament Jasprit Bumrah on India’s success pic.twitter.com/RpEGTdM5DU
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
The player of the match Virat Kohli has just announced that this is his final T20 for India. Here is what he had to say:
It was now or never, I knew. This was my T20 game for India, the last World Cup I was going to play in. I wanted to make the most of it. This was our aim. We wanted to lift the cup. We wanted to win an ICC tournament. It was the occasion that helped me. This was an open secret, it was something I was going to announce even if we lost.
This is my last T20 World Cup playing for India, its time for the next generation to take over. Two year cycle, some amazing players in India who will take the game forward and do wonders as weve seen them do in the IPL. They will keep the flag waving high. Its been a long wait for us to win an ICC tournament.
Its not me alone, Rohit deserves it as much as anyone else in the squad. Its hard to explain the emotions I felt after the game. I knew what mindset I was in. I wasnt confident in the last few games I wasnt feeling really good out there but when god has blessed you, he shows you in ways you cant imagine.
Its been difficult and hence the emotions of how the game went as well when we game back. Its really difficult to hold things back.
King Kohli reigns supreme Virat Kohli is awarded the @Aramco POTM after his 76 off 59, played a pivotal role in India lifting the #T20WorldCup trophy #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/5IMYLes059
T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 29, 2024
It means everything to me. When I came to this World Cup in the last few years Ive been getting injured but this time I felt like I wanted to do something good for India.
Im trying to keep it simple. I just think its another match. For Rohit Sharma, hes an amazing man, and he led India to an amazing World Cup.
We were told to just do our best. I wasnt expecting to be bumped up the order.
It means a lot, very emotional. Weve been working hard. Today was a day where we did what the whole nation wanted. Its so special. Things have been very unfair over the last six months but I believed if I worked hard I can shine through.
It was a dream to win and to get an opportunity like this is everything. We always believed we could do it. Stayed calm and let the pressure go to them.
Those last five overs changed everything. Its about time we got it. I knew pressure wouldnt help me in the final over. Its been wonderful and really enjoyed it.
I am very excited and very happy. To give our coach [Rahul Dravid] a farewell like this, its been wonderful. Ive had a good relationship with him.
The wait of 17 years comes to an end India win their second #T20WorldCup trophy pic.twitter.com/z35z54ZQlI
T20 World Cup (@T20WorldCup) June 29, 2024
Rohit Sharmas men lost on home soil last year in the 50-over World Cup final to Australia. Today they seal their first World title since 2011.
Captain Rohit Sharma taking it all in pic.twitter.com/iR3hjb4gKX
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
South Africa did not choke. At the crunch they were out-smarted by Risabh Pant, who slowed the game down and disrupted Heinrich Klaasen, and out-bowled by Jasprit Bumrah, who should be player of this tournament.
Nortje swings away for a single but that cannot deny India. They have won the 2024 T20 World Cup. They win by seven runs and secure their first T20 title since 2007.
The moment India became T20 WORLD CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/8wFCJKdDUN
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
Rabada c Suryakumar b Pandya 4
Game over so long as there are no more extras. Rabada tries to go downtown but only finds the hands of Suryakumar. FOW 168/8
Pandya goes for the wide yorker but it is too wide and the wide is signalled.
It is a leg-bye and the game is getting away from South Africa. Two big strikes needed.
A big swing and a miss but they come through for a bye.
Kagiso Rabada is the new man in and a thick outside edge runs down to third-man for four as rain is coming down.
Miller c Suryakumer b Pandya 21
What a moment! Pandya bowls a full toss and Miller must think he has got enough on it. Suryakumar runs around to his left at long-off, takes the catch, flicks it up before he goes over the boundary and then just gets back on to take the catch. That is what wins you a World Cup. FOW 161/7
Arshdeep to bowl the penultimate over. First ball dot. Maharaj needs to get Miller on strike. Second ball he misses and it is another dot. Third ball Maharaj flicks into the leg-side for one to get Miller on strike.
Miller flicks into the leg-side and comes back for two crucially for South Africa. Fifth ball is a single to deep square-leg. The final ball is a dot and that is a fantastic over from Arshdeep.
South Africa need 16 from the final over to win the T20 World Cup.
Keshav Maharaj joins Miller in the middle. He gets a single from the final ball. That is it from Bumrah, he cannot bowl another ball and South Africa will be relieved.
South Africa need 20 from 12.
Jansen b Bumrah 2
Rohit Sharma had a big call as to when to give Bumrah his final over and they decide now is the time. That feels like the right decision. Would South Africa be happy to play out this over safely and back themselves to score the necessary runs from the final two overs? Bumrah gets through Jansens defence and India get the sixth South African wicket. Bumrah really is a terrific bowler and has had a great tournament. FOW 156/6
Marco Jansen is the new batsman. You feel Miller is going to be the key now that Klaasen is out.
South Africa require 22 from 18 balls.
Klaasen c Pant b Pandya 52
There is a short delay as Pant receives some treatment on his knee. And that delay does for Klaasen as he edges a slower ball from Pandya behind to Pant. I do not think South Africa will have been happy with that delay. FOW 151/5
Bumrah is brought back into the attack and it felt that Rohit Sharma had to do that now. He could not wait any longer. A flick into the leg-side takes Klaasen to 50 off just 23 balls. This has been an amazing knock under the biggest pressure. That also brings up the 150. With the run-rate down to around a run a ball, South Africa can afford to be a little more cautious against the quality of Bumrah.
They need 26 from 24.
The fastest half-century in a T20 World Cup final pic.twitter.com/YoFZTNtXUu
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
Klaasen gets onto the back foot and punches Axar back over his head for four. A few balls later he comes across his stumps and smashes the ball into the stands. A 99-metre six! You can copy and paste as he deposits Axar again into the stands. It is even bigger this time; 103 metres! WOW! This is amazing batting! With ease he plants Axar over wide long-off for four. It nearly went for six. This is quite sensational batting from Heinrich Klaasen.
South Africa require just 30 now from 30; a run a ball.
Incredible T20 batting from Heinrich Klaasen, worthy of winning a T20 World Cup. No thought about managing the rate; recognised it was his time and his bowler, and hit 24 from an Axar Patel over.
Back to back sixes What an innings from Heinrich Klaasen pic.twitter.com/x6WsOD6Qss
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
Miller gets onto the back foot and punches past cover for four. Axar was trying to prevent the boundary but strangely opted against diving to stop it. Off the final ball Miller picks Kuldeep up over deep mid-wicket for six.
South Africa need 54 from 36 balls.
David Miller joins Klaasen in the middle. South Africa still have Marco Jansen but this feels like the partnership that will decide this game.
de Kock c Kuldeep b Arshdeep 39
Arshdeep bowled two good overs up front and is now back into the attack. Fine-leg is up in the circle and de Kock picks him up and away for four. That looked like a pre-meditated flick, a shot de Kock loves playing. I have seen him play that a few times against Jofra Archer. India put Kuldeep back to fine-leg and de Kock falls for it, playing exactly the same shot into Kuldeeps hands. FOW 106/4
WOW! That is sensational. Klaasen smashes Kuldeep over wide long-off for six. That is a ridiculous shot. It is amazing what these modern-day players can do. The 100 is brought up for South Africa.
They need 76 runs from 48 balls.
Ravi Jadeja is on to bowl. Klaasen picks him over his head for a big six. What a strike from Klaasen!
That is good running from South Africa as de Kock pushes one into the leg-side and comes back for two. South Africa will need more of that along with the big hits.
Hardik Pandya is into the attack for the first time today. This feels like a huge partnership right now with the damage these two can do. What a powerful shot that is! He takes five balls to get off the mark but what a way to do so as he upper-cuts for six. Pandya then over-steps and South Africa have a free hit. de Kock skies the free hit and is caught, but obviously it does not count. South Africa come through for a single.
We are at the halfway stage and it is time for a drink. South Africa will require 96 from 10 overs.
Heinrich Klaasen is the new man in the middle and we know how devastating he can be.
Stubbs b Axar 31
Stubbs moves across his stumps and sweeps Axar away for six. Momentum is with South Africa at the moment. But a few balls later Stubbs comes across his stumps again and is bowled. Big wicket for India. FOW 70/3
HUGE wicket for India Axar Patel picks up the wicket of Tristan Stubbs for 31 pic.twitter.com/3s1Ps7lPL5
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
That is a superb shot from Stubbs, who powerfully drives past Kuldeep and runs away for four. Off the final ball de Kock plays a magnificent sweep shot that flies out of the ground. That brings up the 50 partnership off 33 balls.
Indias spinners are getting much less assistance from this wicket than in Guyana, but they are skilful enough to still be a menace for South Africa. This could well be the last match of Quinton de Kocks international career; he has already retired from the two longer formats.
Stubbs sweeps Axar away through deep mid-wicket for four. We saw Axar himself in his knock play that type of shot in that area a number of times.
Kuldeep, who caused England real problems in the semi-finals the other day, is on for his first bowl in the final. Stubbs gives himself room and cuts over point, but it plugs a little and South Africa can only get a couple. He then powerfully strikes down the ground and Suryakumar does well at long-on to prevent the boundary. Off the final ball of the over de Kock cuts away for four.
That is the end of the powerplay. India were 45/3 at the same point in their innings.
Axar is into the attack. Stubbs cuts him away behind square for four. Stubbs is a young batsman with immense potential so can he deliver on the biggest of stages?
A few balls later de Kock gives himself room and cuts over the fielders in the circle on the off-side for four.
de Kock opens the face and guides the first ball of Bumrahs second over past the slip fielder and away for four. Suryakumar probably should have stopped it. de Kock then drives one wide of mid-off for a couple. He is going to be absolutely crucial if South Africa are going to win.
Tristan Stubbs is the new man at the crease.
A couple of balls later, India go up for an appeal for caught behind off de Kock but the umpire is having none of it. Rohit Sharma though has decided to review it. The replays show that there was no edge or contact with the bat so the on-field decision stands and India lose a review.
Markram c Pant b Arshdeep 4
Two early wickets in quick succession, like in Indias innings. Markram swipes at the ball wide of his off stump but only gets an outside edge, which Pant snaffles. No captains knock from Markram. FOW 12/2
South Africa need their captain Markram to play a captains knock. He is under way immediately with a cut behind square for four first ball.
Hendricks b Bumrah 4
WOW! What a ball! Hendricks is gone, done by the outswinger from Bumrah which crashes into his stumps. FOW 7/1
Ball of the tournament? Factoring out the dodgy pitches in the USA, that is. Jasprit Bumrahs outswinger to Reeza Hendricks was simply a perfect ball to a righthander.
What a start for Jasprit Bumrah and India Reeza Hendricks departs for FOUR pic.twitter.com/vu56oNQ8hh
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
South Africas first run in the chase comes from a leg bye off the third ball.
Off the last ball of the first over Hendricks flashes one through point for four, the first boundary of the innings.
Here we go. Can South Africa chase it down? Reeza Hendricks and Quinton de Kock are opening for South Africa, Arshdeep Singh will open the bowling.
Jadeja c Maharaj b Nortje 2
Jadeja gets his first ball away for two but off the final ball of the innings he skies one into the air and Maharaj takes a great catch. That is the end of the innings and South Africa will need 177 runs to win their first World Cup final. FOW 176/6
Dube c Miller b Nortje 27
Nortje will bowl the final over of the innings. Dube beats Markram at mid-on and it runs away for four. But next ball he picks out Miller at long-off and he is gone. FOW 174/6
Hardik Pandya is in and off his first ball he gets a top-edge that runs away for four. One more over to go in Indias innings.
At the halfway stage I think the difference between the two sides will turn out be Marco Jansens nervousness, starting with his first over that cost 15 and culminating in the 19th over which cost 17. Dont think any of Indias bowlers will be so nervous. But Jansen is a good enough allrounder to make some amends with the bat.
Poor final for Jansen, who looked nervous and edgy. Started with 15 in his first over feeding Kohli some juicy half volley to get him going and then 17 off the 19th over starting with a big no ball. Could be the game.
Kohli c Rabada Jansen 76
Despite bowling three expensive overs, Jansen is on for the penultimate over. South Africa review a decision off the first ball for caught behind but it is a no-ball anyway. Looking at the replays it did not look like Kohli got anything on it. It is therefore a free hit but Kohli cannot take advantage.
Jansen then bowls a full toss and Kohli flicks him away behind square for four.
A few balls later Kohli smashes Jansen over long-on for six. The Indian great is accelerating now. It has not been Jansens day, after such a good performance with the ball in the semi-final. But, off the final ball, Kohli goes for it again but picks out Rabada at long-on. FOW 163/5
Classic Virat Kohli: a few early boundaries, then going into his shell – possibly for too long, taking 48 balls to reach his 50 – but then accelerating devastatingly. If India win, you suspect that the player of the match award will go to their biggest star.
Having just gone to his 50, Kohli clears his front leg and deposits Rabada over long-on for six. He then follows that with an excellently run two. Rabada bowls a slower ball but Kohli pulls him away for four behind square on the leg-side. An expensive over costing 16 runs there as India bring up the 150.
Kohli brings up his 50 in 48 balls with a single from a pull shot. It has not been his most free-flowing innings but still an important knock in a final.
Off Nortjes final ball Dube cuts behind square for four.
Kohlis fifty is up but he has scored one four since the first over, leaving it to others to swing the bat.
50 for Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/hfHPBHT2o1
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
Shamsi is on for his third over of the innings. You can see the frustration mounting for Kohli, who has struggled to find the middle of the bat. But Dube does find the middle as he sweeps Shamsi through deep mid-wicket for a one-bounce four. Eight from the over.
Jansen is brought on and first ball Dube smacks him over mid-on for six. The rest of the over is better from Jansen, who concedes just a further four runs from it.
Shivam Dube has joined Kohli in the middle. Dube tries to smash his first ball but just gets an inside edge onto his pads. Second ball he charges Rabada and gets a single into the covers.
Axar run out de Kock 47
That is outstanding from de Kock. Just after Axar had hit a six to take India past 100, he is run out after a brilliant throw from the South Africa keeper to run him out at the non-strikers end. Looking at the replays, it was a little lazy from Axar despite de Kocks brilliance. FOW 106/4
That run-out by Quinton de Kock was as brilliant as Jos Buttlers in St Lucia. If that is a match-winning play, de Kock deserves it as his international career comes to a close.
Axar Patel is run out for 47 What a throw from Quinton de Kock pic.twitter.com/Zq5aAqOGTe
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
Markram continues to change things up and Nortje is back into the attack. Just five runs come from the over, which South Africa will be delighted about.
Shamsi continues for his second over and Axar attempts a big sweep with the wind. He edges onto his pads but the ball lands safely.
Off the penultimate ball he goes down the ground and, despite the best efforts of a diving Rabada, gets it away for a very flat six.
After an expensive first over of the match, Jansen is back into the attack and nearly gets a wicket first ball. Axar tries to belt it out of the ground but gets a thick outside edge, which lands short of third-man. Seven runs come from the first over after drinks.
Shamsi is brought into the attack for the first time today. Kohli gets a couple of twos of the final two balls.
We are at the halfway mark and it is time for a drink.
Markram is chopping and changing his bowlers to keep the India batsmen guessing. Nortje has just the one over and Maharaj is back on.
Maharaj is spinning the ball into Axar, who opts to sweep it over deep mid-wicket. This time he gets a better connection, against the win, and it sails into the stands for six.
Markram opts to give himself a second over. An Axar single brings up Indias 50. A few balls later Axar sweeps and has just enough on it to get over Klaasens head at deep mid-wicket. That was a close one.
He went off earlier to receive a bit of attention but Nortje is back on to have his first bowl in this final. He has 13 wickets to date in this tournament. Just four runs come from that over.
The captain Markram is bringing himself on for a bowl in the final over of the powerplay. With the fall of wickets perhaps Markram feels he can sneak a few overs in here. He escapes from the over just conceding the six runs.
That is the end of the powerplay.
Interestingly Axar Patel is the new man out there. He flicks his first ball away for four.
Suryakumar c Klaasen b Rabada 3
Another wicket falls! What a start for South Africa! Suryakumar tries to pick up Rabada over the leg-side with the wind but he picks out Klaasen, running around from fine-leg to take his second catch of the game. Rabada was fired up and loved that wicket. FOW 34/3
Kohli gets the first ball of Maharajs second over away and it looks like it is going for four at wide long-off but a brilliant diving stop from Miller prevents the boundary.
A few balls later Kohli will not be denied as he powers a punch off the back foot in a similar area for four.
Nortje is coming back on.
Suryakumar Yadav is the new batsman. Jansen lasted just one over and after it was expensive, Markram has turned to Kagiso Rabada. Just one run comes from the first five balls and Suryakumar tries to dispatch Rabada over mid-on. He does not time it well though and only just gets enough on it to get it over. There is a small amount of concern for South Africa here as Nortje has gone off to receive some medical attention.
Incredible how in the space of only two overs a match can swing completely from one side to the other. Jos Buttler will sympathise with Rishabh Pant, toe-ending a spinner.
Pant c de Kock b Maharaj 0
Rishabh Pant joins Kohli in the middle but he only last two balls. He goes for a sweep but ends up looping a catch to de Kock behind the stumps. They check for a bump ball but that clearly looped up off the toe of the bat. He is gone and what a significant over that could be in this final. FOW 23/2
Ahem. Not so nervy second over. Two wickets including Rohit caught for 9 at square leg. Excellent catch from Klaasen showing the value of fielding. England dropped Rohit on 5 in the semi. Thats the difference between the better teams. Staggering of Pant to stand there after top edging that sweep.
Rohit c Klaasen b Maharaj 9
Aiden Markram opts to go to spin early as Keshav Maharaj is into the attack. After being hit for consecutive fours off the first two balls, Maharaj gets his revenge. Rohit tries to sweep him away but only picks out a diving Klaasen at square-leg. Big early breakthrough for South Africa. FOW 23/1
Sharma gets India going first ball with a single to mid-on. A bit of shape for Jansen, who has a leg-slip in place.
Kohli, who has had a tough run during this tournament, just leans on his first ball outside his off stump and drives through point for the first boundary of this final. Jansen then strays too straight and Kohli flicks with ease past square-leg for four more.
More runs flowing for India as Kohli leans again on a drive, this time through cover, for a couple.
Off the final ball Kohli drives past Jansen for four to end a great first over for India, 15 runs from it.
Very nervous start to this final from South Africa. Jansen serves up three half volleys in the first over to settle Kohli who was under pressure after a poor run.
THREE boundaries in the first over for Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/ywQbw1ieTs
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
Anthems out of the way, time for the final to begin. All the talk is over and now both of these sides go for the title. Who will be getting their hands on that trophy in a few hours?
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohil are opening the batting for India. Left-armer Marco Jansen will open the bowling for South Africa. It is time to get the 2024 T20 World Cup final under way.
Both sides have made their way out past the trophy they are playing for and it is now time for the national anthems.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi.
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravi Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.
Big news in English cricket this morning was broken by Will Macpherson. Jamie Smith to keep wicket in the Test side surely signalling the end for Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes. It follows on form England ending James Andersons career. Bairstow has not been the same since his injury and Foakes is not good enough with the bat. Brutal, but changes had to happen with the road to the next Ashes starting at Lords next week. Smith will face a lot of scrutiny of his keeping. That will be the mental test for him. I spoke to him a couple of months ago and he was confident he could handle it if called up. Now we will find out.
We have probably not been at our best at times in this tournament but we have found ways to win, so we take a lot of confidence and belief.
We are striving for that perfect game today. Perfect is not really attainable but if we can get close to it we will be in with a good shout.
My message to the boys is to take it all in. There is absolutely no pressure for us. We have never been in a final but this is the opportunity we have always wanted.
Hopefully we can put India under pressure early on.
It is just about individuals understanding their role. I know its a big occasion but it is important to stay calm and composed.
We have to keep things under control and there are ways to do that. Everyone will have their own way.
South Africa have played really good cricket and we understand that – but so have we.
Rohit Sharma calls correctly and India will bat first. India are unchanged.
Aiden Markram confirms that he would have liked to have batted first as well. South Africa are also unchanged.
The two captains, Rohit Sharma and Aiden Markram, are out in the middle and we are ready for the toss…
Odd for a World Cup final to start so early at 10.30 but we know the reason why – India television. The ground is filling up, tickets all sold out and the party stand full of India fans. Rum punches are flowing early, and for 80 Bajan dollars (about 25 quid) you can buy the whole rum bottle. Dangerous.
“It’s a huge day for both captains” Eoin Morgan on the key decisions for both captains ahead of the final ️ pic.twitter.com/3D0VSrks8X
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
“Two best teams in the tournament so far” Michael Atherton on South Africa and India ahead of the T20 World Cup final pic.twitter.com/GjQ2NaHYNC
Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 29, 2024
While it is true to say that South Africa have lost all seven of their semi-finals in World Cups, they did win the Champions Trophy in 1998. And, more relevantly, two of their current players won the Under-19 World Cup in 2014. Kagiso Rabada opened their bowling, very tightly, then Aiden Markram opened their batting and with his 66* helped to knock off the modest target set by Pakistan with six wickets to spare. Markram was South Africas captain too, and the player of that tournament. A couple of them have been there already and done that…
Barbados is the stage for the 2024 T20 World Cup final as Rohit Sharmas India take on Aiden Markrams South Africa for the crown. Both sides have remained unbeaten throughout the tournament but only one can win the trophy.
India defeated the defending champions England by 68 runs in Guyana in the semi-finals whilst South Africa destroyed Afghanistan by nine wickets in Trinidad.
Despite the global success of the IPL, India have not won a world title in 13 years since the 2011 50-over World Cup. They are seeking redemption for their defeat in the 50-over final last year when they lost the final on home soil against Australia.
South Africa have ended their semi-final hoodoo, having lost on their previous seven occasions at this stage of the 50-over and T20 World Cups. They have never won an a T20 or 50-over World Cup and will be hoping that today is the day that what will end.
Ahead of the biggest game in South Africas cricket history, their captain Aiden Markram has been speaking about the support from former players as they look to win their first world title.
We havent achieved what we would like to on the world stage, Markram said. That is what gets the juices going for the boys to try to achieve it. You have seen it in the close results. The will to win drives you to, by hook or by crook, get the job done.
There has been a lot of support from back home from past players, which is special for us. They are the guys that inspired us when we were younger. To be making them proud and having their support means a hell of a lot to us as a team.
Although it is very unlikely, it is possible that India and South Africa could be joint-winners should the final, which does have a reserve day, be washed out. With that being very unlikely, who will come out victorious? India or South Africa?
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