Legendary MS Dhoni put out a rare Instagram post to congratulate Rohit Sharma-led Team India for winning the T20 World Cup 2024 title after edging past South Africa by seven runs in the nerve-wrenching final in Barbados on Saturday, June 29.
“WORLD CUP CHAMPIONS 2024. My heart rate was up, well done on being calm, having the self belief and doing what u guys did.From all the Indians back home and everywhere in the world a big thank you for bringing the World Cup Home.CONGRATULATIONS.arreeee thanks for the priceless birthday gift,” MS Dhoni's Instagram's post read.
Notably, it was under MS Dhoni's captaincy India won the very first T20 World Cup in 2007, defeating Pakistan in the final. He also captained them to victory in the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy, which was India's last major ICC title before their recent win.
Batting first, India set a target of 177 runs thanks to half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Axar Patel. They then defended the total with some tight bowling, especially in the death overs by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh. South Africa needed just 16 runs to win in the last over. However, Hardik Pandya's nerve-wracking bowling, including a crucial wicket off the first ball by Suryakumar Yadav, sealed a narrow seven-run victory for India.
India's grip on the match loosened considerably when Heinrich Klaasen's quickfire 52 off just 27 balls put their title dream in jeopardy. But thanks to some crucial moments - Hardik Pandya's all-round effort, Rohit Sharma's captaincy including a brilliant over by Axar Patel - India managed to wrestle back control. The final stretch was a nail-biter, with Pandya keeping his cool in the last over to defend 16 runs and secure victory for India. This win was their first ICC trophy in over a decade (since 2013) and their maiden T20 World Cup title since the IPL began. The celebrations were a mix of relief and joy for Kohli, Rohit, and the team, signifying the end of an era for these two T20 legends.
After a perfect farewell, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their T20I retirement.
Kohli, while reflecting on his retirement, said:
"It's time for the next generation to take over. It was an open secret, and I would have announced it even if we had lost."
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