Key Points
CNN . . India produced a brilliant performance to defeat South Africa by just seven runs in a dramatic mens T20 World Cup final, ending a long 13-year wait for the cricket-obsessed nation since its last World Cup win.. ..
It was a nail-biting finale in Bridgetown, Barbados as India set a total of 177 to win the highest ever score in a mens T20 final but South Africa matched it run for run, even pulling ahead at points before some exceptional bowling from India and an outstanding catch from Suryakumar Yadav restricted the Proteas right at the end.. . Victory sparked jubilant and emotional celebrations for India after a year of heartbreak for many of its players who lost to Australia in the finals of both the ODI Cricket World Cup and World Test Championship.. . India was under pressure early in its innings as some sharp South African bowling reduced it to 39-3 after five overs..
But with Axar Patel and talismanic batter Virat Kohli at the crease, India rebuilt.. . Together, they put on a 72-run partnership as Axar lofted several sixes over the boundary before a moments hesitation allowed Quinton de Kock to run him out at the non-strikers end and he departed with 47 off 31 balls.. . Shivam Dube walked out to the middle and added a quickfire 27 while at the other end, Kohli ticked along and reached a half century even as he struggled to find the boundary for much of the game..
He departed in the 18th over, and India lost several late wickets as it chased any possible runs to set a total of 176-7.. . Jasprit Bumrah, who has already enjoyed a phenomenal tournament and was named its best player after the match, gave India the perfect start as he bowled Reeza Hendricks in only the second over and South Africa found itself 12-2 shortly afterwards.. ..
But there was still time for the games momentum to shift once more as De Kock and rising star Tristan Stubbs sprinted towards a 50-run partnership before Stubbs was bowled by Axar, much to the frustration of De Kock.. . South Africa continued to build steadily and almost found itself in a match-winning position when Heinrich Klaasen produced an astonishing performance in the 15th over, hitting Axar for 24 runs and racing towards a half century in just 23 balls, the fastest ever in a mens T20 World Cup final, according to Opta.. ..
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