In a heart-stopping finale, India captain Rohit Sharma lifted the ICC T20 World Cup trophy, while all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who heroically defended 16 runs in the final over, was moved to tears. India clinched their second T20 World Cup title with a narrow seven-run victory over South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, marking a significant moment in Indian cricket history.
As the final wicket fell, sealing India’s victory, Rohit Sharma collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed with emotion. Head coach Rahul Dravid leaped out of his chair in jubilation, embodying the relief and joy felt by millions of Indian fans worldwide. This win placed India alongside the West Indies and England as two-time T20 World Cup champions.
Post-match, an emotional Hardik Pandya was seen in tears, taking in the magnitude of the occasion. Rohit Sharma, showing his support, kissed Hardik on the cheek. Pandya’s journey from intense scrutiny and criticism to being a World Cup hero exemplifies perseverance and redemption. His emotional reaction was a testament to the hard work and dedication that led to this moment.
Reflecting on the victory, Hardik said, “It means a lot. Very emotional, we’d been working very hard and something was not clicking. But today we got what the whole nation wanted. More special for me is how my last six months were, I haven’t spoken a word. I knew that if I kept working hard I could shine and do what I could do.”
Hardik also credited his teammates, especially the bowlers, for their stellar performance in the final overs. “Credit to Jassi (Jasprit Bumrah) and the other bowlers for those last five overs. Knew it would not help me if I wasn’t calm, wanted to commit 100% to every ball I’ve bowled. I’ve always enjoyed the pressure.”
The atmosphere at Kensington Oval was electric as Indian players and fans celebrated the hard-fought victory. For South Africa, however, it was another moment of heartbreak as they fell just short of their first T20 World Cup title.
This win marks a new chapter for Indian cricket, filled with hope and triumph, and sets the stage for future successes under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and the emerging talents like Hardik Pandya.
