In a thrilling finale that captivated cricket fans around the world, the Indian national team emerged victorious in the 2024 T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa by a narrow margin of 7 runs. This historic triumph marked India’s second T20 World Cup title, a feat they had last achieved 13 years ago, solidifying their status as a dominant force in the shortest format of the game.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first, India posted a formidable total of 176 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The star of the innings was none other than Virat Kohli, who once again showcased his class with a magnificent knock of 76 runs. Complementing Kohli’s heroics were valuable contributions from Axar Patel, who scored 47 runs, and Shivam Dubey, who added 27 runs to the total.
In response, the South African batting lineup faced a stern challenge from the disciplined Indian bowling attack. Despite a valiant effort from Henrik Klaassen, who scored a blistering 52 runs off just 27 deliveries, the Proteas were ultimately bowled out for 169 runs, falling short by 7 runs in their chase.
This triumph not only cemented India’s status as the dominant force in T20 cricket but also earned them a substantial financial reward. The ICC had announced a record-breaking total prize money of $1.125 million for the T20 World Cup, surpassing even the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) in terms of monetary rewards.
As the undefeated champions, India received a staggering $2.45 million. In contrast, the runner-up South Africa received $1.28 million, for their commendable performance.
The semi-finalists, England and Afghanistan, were awarded $787,500 each, while the teams eliminated in the Super Eight stage, including Australia, West Indies, Bangladesh, and the United States, received $382,500 each. The 12 teams that were knocked out in the group stage, including Pakistan, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, Namibia, Oman, New Zealand, Uganda, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Netherlands, and Nepal, received $247,500 each.
This historic triumph for the Indian cricket team, led by the charismatic Rohit Sharma, not only brought immense joy to their passionate fans but also cemented their status as the undisputed champions of the T20 format. After a 13-year wait, the Indian team has once again proven their mettle on the global stage, solidifying their legacy as one of the greatest T20 cricket teams in the world.
