Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: India’s agonising 11-year wait for a global title was brought to an end by Virat Kohli’s ingenuity and Rohit Sharma’s inspirational captaincy as Men in Blue outwitted South Africa by seven runs in a see-saw final to lift its second T20 World Cup trophy at Barbados on June 29. In response to India’s 176 for seven, South Africa ended at 169 for eight.
Kohli, who was part of the 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, announced his retirement from the format after being adjudged player of the match for his 76-run knock. He wore a detached look on his face after the win but broke down eventually.
“It’s time for the next generation to take over. It was an open secret and I would have announced it even if we would have lost,”Kohli said.
Captain Sharma, his eyes glistening, was on his haunches as he was emotionally exhausted. His wife Ritika, watched from the stands, also in tears.
“Very hard to sum up what we have been through for the last 3-4 years…a lot has gone on behind the scenes. It is not today, it is what we have been doing for the last three-four years,” Rohit said.
When Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27 balls) was going hammer and tongs against the in-form Indian spinners, it seemed Team India would have to settle for second place in another World Cup final but they clawed their way back into the game with a lot of help from South Africa.
Eventually, Hardik Pandya, much maligned by his own supporters for past six months, was able to defend 16 runs in the final over to ensure India’s first ICC trophy since 2013 and a maiden T20 World Cup crown in the post-IPL era.
The sense of relief and jubilation was evident on the stars of Indian team, Kohli and Rohit, who might not stay on for another T20 World Cup cycle. The result was also a fitting farewell to head coach Rahul Dravid. It was the joint effort of Kohli (76 off 59)andAxar Patel (47 off 31) that allowed India to set the highest total in a T20 World Cup final.
