India ends ICC trophy drought gloriously
Barbados
Exactly a year ago, India broke an 11-year ICC trophy drought by clinching their second ICC T20 World Cup title, defeating South Africa by seven runs in a nerve-wracking final. The victory was extra special as it also marked the T20I farewell of two cricketing legends—Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli—who bid adieu to the shortest format on a high.
Skipper Rohit Sharma led from the front throughout the tournament, scoring 257 runs in eight matches at an average of 36.71 and a strike rate exceeding 155, finishing as the second-highest run scorer. On the bowling front, Arshdeep Singh emerged as India’s top wicket-taker, claiming 17 wickets at an impressive average of 12.64.
India chose to bat first in the final but stumbled to 34/3. A composed knock from Virat Kohli, who had a quiet tournament until then, revived hopes. His 76 off 59 balls included six boundaries and two sixes. Kohli, in partnership with Axar Patel (47 off 31), took India to a competitive total of 176/7.
South Africa’s chase looked promising, especially after Heinrich Klaasen’s 24-run blitz in the 15th over. But Hardik Pandya’s crucial breakthrough in the 16th over dismissed Klaasen for 52. The game was sealed in the final over with Suryakumar Yadav’s sensational boundary catch to dismiss David Miller, reducing the Proteas to 169/8. This memorable win not only brought home a coveted trophy but also sealed the T20I careers of Rohit and Kohli in the most fitting way possible.
