It’s been a tantalizing teaser of a final, and India have come out ahead in a white-knuckle affair.
Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat on what was widely perceived to be a helpful wicket. After a flurry of boundaries early on, South Africa clapped back with the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant in the second over.
Kagiso Rabada struck soon after, when the dangerous Suryakumar Yadav holed out to deep backward square. But fortunately for India, Virat Kohli was holding the fort, and Axar Patel would finally counterattack to get the scoring rate back on track.
Kohli and Patel added 72 runs together, but a brilliant direct hit from Quinton de Kock brought the resurgence to an end. However, India would continue motoring along, courtesy a quick 27 from Shivam Dube. And Kohli would overcome a quiet start and clear the boundary twice.
In the quest for quick runs, Kohli was the next to go. But Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada were already at the receiving end of punishment. Anrich Nortje would pull things back in the final over, but the men in blue had 176 on the board at halftime.
Much of the first half of the chase mirrored the Indian innings. Jasprit Bumrah struck in his first over to remove Hendricks, and Markram was the next to go when he edged behind in the very next over.
Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs managed to consolidate and find the boundary at regular intervals. However, one too many ambitious shot from Stubbs proved costly, when Axar Patel bowled his Delhi Capitals teammate around his legs.
The Indian spinners were bowling from both ends, and it was the ideal entry point for Heinrich Klaasen. The hard-hitting right hander would take down Axar for 24 in the 15th over, leaving a run a ball for the final 5 overs. He would also score the quickest 50 in a T20WC final.
However, the reintroduction of Hardik Pandya sparked hope for India. Klaasen edged a wide ball behind, and Marco Jansen also came and went. Bumrah wove his magic at the back end, and the Proteas were unable to keep the score ticking.
Dot balls built more pressure, and it was 16 to get in the final over. Unfortunately for the men in green and gold, an attempted big hit down the ground from David Miller was well taken by Suryakumar Yadav. The relay catch would prove to be the difference, as Hardik Pandya held his nerve to seal the deal.
India have won all their games in this tournament, and that’s a record in itself. Secondly, Virat Kohli announced his retirement from T20Is, bringing an end to a decorated career in that format.
The Proteas will reflect on the what-could’ve-beens and wonder how an almost stress-free situation completely capsized, but there’s still plenty to be proud of.
IND 176/7 in 20 overs (Kohli 76, Patel 47 – Nortje 4-0-26-2, Maharaj 3-0-23-2)
SA 169/8 in 20 overs (Klaasen 52, de Kock 39 – Pandya 3-0-20-3, Bumrah 4-0-18-2)
