India wins the Twenty20 World Cup in a thrilling final against South Africa

29/06/2024

India's Hardik Pandya, second left, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of South Africa's Kagiso Rabada during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final cricket match between India and South Africa at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP) — India pulled off a sensational seven-run win against South Africa in a gripping final of the Twenty20 World Cup on Saturday.

India's Virat Kohli bats during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final cricket match between India and South Africa at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

South Africa, playing its first ever final of an ICC tournament, needed a run-a-ball 30 to win on the back of Heinrich Klaasen’s belligerent 52 off 27 balls.

India's Axar Patel bats during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final cricket match between India and South Africa at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

But India's pace bowlers roared back in the death overs to restrict them at 169-8.

India's Virat Kohli, right, makes his crease as South Africa's Quinton de Kock fields the ball during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final cricket match between India and South Africa at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Kohli’s first half-century at this tournament anchored India to 176-7 after captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat.

South Africa's Kagiso Rabada, center, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of India's Suryakumar Yadav during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final cricket match between India and South Africa at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

India won its second T20 World Cup but its first world title in 12 years.

South Africa's Keshav Maharaj, second right, celebrates with teammates after the dismissal of India's captain Rohit Sharma, right, during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final cricket match between India and South Africa at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

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South Africa's Quinton de Kock, right, celebrates with teammates the wicket of India's Axar Patel during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final cricket match between India and South Africa at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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Indian supporters cheer for their team before the start of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final cricket match between India and South Africa at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

A fan takes a selfie with West Indies' cricket legend Chris Gayle before the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final cricket match between India and South Africa at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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