India Ends 17-Year T20 World Cup Drought with Victory over South Africa

India's 17-year wait for T20 World Cup glory came to an end in emphatic fashion as they defeated South Africa in the final of the 2024 edition in Barbados. The victory marked a historic moment for Indian cricket, with veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing pivotal roles in the triumph.

Kohli, who had announced his retirement from T20I cricket after the tournament, anchored India's innings in the final with a match-winning knock. His 82 runs off 53 balls provided the foundation for India's total of 195/6. Rohit Sharma, who had also stepped down as T20I captain after the tournament, contributed with a crucial 47 runs.

South Africa's chase faltered in the face of India's disciplined bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Yuzvendra Chahal shared seven wickets between them to restrict South Africa to 168/8.

The victory sparked jubilation across India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the chorus of congratulations. In a telephonic conversation with Kohli, Sharma, and head coach Rahul Dravid, Modi praised their contributions to Indian cricket.

"You are excellence personified. Your aggressive mindset, batting, and captaincy have given a new dimension to the Indian team. Your T20 career will be remembered fondly," Modi said to Rohit Sharma.

To Kohli, Modi hailed his anchoring role in the final. "Like the innings in the Finals, you have anchored Indian batting splendidly. You've shone in all forms of the game. T20 Cricket will miss you, but I am confident you'll continue to motivate the new generation of players," he said.

Modi also acknowledged Dravid's guidance as head coach, saying, "Rahul Dravid's incredible coaching journey has shaped the success of Indian cricket. His unwavering dedication, strategic insights, and nurturing the right talent have transformed the team."

The Indian team will now take a short break before regrouping for the Zimbabwe T20I series, which will feature a young crop of stars.

Tags: #T20WorldCup, #India, #SouthAfrica, #ViratKohli, #RohitSharma