The second T20 cricket match of a series between India Women and South Africa Women being called off due to rain as shown on the big screen, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai, on July 7, 2024.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Persistent rain forced the abandonment of the second women’s T20 International between India and South Africa after the visitors made 177 for six in their innings in Chennai on July 8.

It helped South Africa maintain their 1-0 lead in the three-match series, and now, India will have to win the third and final T20I in Chennai on Tuesday (July 9) to avoid a rare home series defeat.

The start of the match was delayed by 15 minutes because of rain and it was a constant spoilsport on three occasions during South Africa’s innings without stopping the proceedings.

But the heavens opened up during the innings break, sufficient to force the teams to stay put in their respective dressing rooms.

The overs began to lose by 9.16 p.m., and the nagging drizzle meant that even the cut-off time – 10.13 pm – for a five-over-a-side contest could not be met, eventually forcing the umpires to take the tough call.

Earlier, Tazmin Brits made a measured fifty as the Proteas overcame some mid-innings jitters to post a challenging 177 for six after being asked to bat first.

Brits (52 off 39 balls) received solid support from Anneke Bosch (40 off 32 balls) as the Proteas racked up their second-highest T20I total against India.

Openers Laura Wolvaardt (22 off 12 balls) and Brits were involved in a 42-run opening stand before pacer Pooja Vastrakar got rid of the former in the fifth over.

In the company of Marizanne Kapp (20 off 14 balls), Brits continued her brisk scoring ways as they put up 66 runs during the powerplay.

While Brits brought up her 11th T20I half-century, she failed to push her stand with Bosch going beyond 38, falling to Deepti in the 14th over, with the score reading 113 for three.

The Indian bowlers, especially the spinners, were barely giving the South Africans any room to bat freely, forcing them to use the sweep shots quite often.

Vastrakar bowled the final over and got rid of Nadine de Klerk (14 off 9 balls), but Jemimah Rodrigues dropped the chance to dismiss Annerie Dercksen (12 not out) for which she made the Indians pay, striking three fours in a row off the last three balls of SA innings.

Vastrakar and Deepti claimed two wickets each for the hosts.

Bridgetown:

As soon as India won the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup title with a tight seven-run win over South Africa at the Kensington Oval, one couldn’t help but go back to the words BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said all the way back in February this year.

“Everybody had been waiting for my statement on the World Cup. In 2023, India did not win the World Cup after winning 10 matches straight, but we won hearts. But I want to make a promise that in 2024, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, India will win the T20 World Cup in Barbados,” Mr Shah had said ahead of the renaming of SCA Stadium in Rajkot as the Niranjan Shah Stadium before the third India-England Test happened in February.

On Saturday, Mr Shah’s words came true in front of his eyes as Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah propelled India to make another stunning turnaround from the equation reading 30 runs needed off 30 balls to win by seven runs and end a 11-year trophy drought, as well as clinch their second Men’s T20 World Cup title.

When scenes of jubilation and emotion panned out after the title triumph was sealed, former India head coach Ravi Shastri made a mention of Mr Shah’s prophecy at Rajkot in February coming true in Barbados and called him ‘Nostradamus’ on air.

Coming to the match, Hardik Pandya’s 3-20 and Jasprit Bumrah’s 2-18 helped an unbeaten India to come back and clinch their second title in the shortest format. Talismanic batter Virat Kohli stepped up to end his lean run with a 59-ball 76 to help India post a competitive 176/7, the highest total in a Men’s T20 World Cup final.

His 72-run stand for the fourth wicket with Axar Patel, who made 47 off 31 balls, and a 57-run partnership with Shivam Dube, who hit a 16-ball 27, helped India go past 175-run mark, as they got 42 runs off the last three overs.

In reply, South Africa were very much in sight to chase down the total. But Hardik taking out Heinrich Klaasen propelled India to come back into the match and emerge victorious to end a long 11-year global trophy drought as they restricted South Africa to 169/8.

India now join West Indies and England as two-time winners of the Men’s T20 World Cup, and also gave a winning farewell to head coach Rahul Dravid. It also meant that Virat Kohli signed off from playing T20Is for India on a high with the World Cup trophy and the Player of the Match award in the final.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

India’s victory in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa on Saturday not only sparked celebrations across the country but also inspired creative and heartfelt congratulatory messages from various police forces. The team, led by skipper Rohit Sharma and bolstered by Virat Kohli’s match-winning performance, clinched a seven-run victory, marking India’s second world title in the format.

“We all waited 16 years 9 months 5 days (52,70,40,000 seconds) for India to win another #T20WorldCup. Let’s be a little patient at traffic signals too. Good moments are worth the wait. What say? Hearty congratulations, #TeamIndia. #INDvsSA #INDvSA,” the Delhi Police posted. 

We all waited 16 years 9 months 5 days (52,70,40,000 seconds) for India to win another #T20WorldCup

Let’s be a little patient at traffic signals too. Good moments are worth the wait. What say?

Hearty congratulations, #TeamIndia #INDvsSA#INDvSA

— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) June 29, 2024

The UP Police showcased their sense of humour with a tweet that likened the Indian bowlers’ performance to a criminal act – albeit a much-loved one. 

“Breaking News: Indian bowlers found guilty of breaking South African hearts. Sentence: Lifelong love from a billion fans! #INDvSAFinal #T20WorldCupFinal,” the UP Police wrote.

: Indian bowlers found guilty of breaking South African hearts.

: Lifelong love from a billion fans! #INDvSAFinal#T20WorldCupFinalpic.twitter.com/UPaCzgf6vm

— UP POLICE (@Uppolice) June 29, 2024

Mumbai Traffic Police joined in the celebration by sharing a photo of Rohit Sharma in a car with the number plate reading “IND 29 June 2024”.

“The Dream Come True Number Plate! #UnStoppables #IndVsSA #WorldChampions,” the Mumbai Traffic Police captioned the photo. 

The Dream Come True Number Plate!#UnStoppables#IndVsSA#WorldChampionspic.twitter.com/xMHfQjsnCc

— Mumbai Traffic Police (@MTPHereToHelp) June 29, 2024

The final match was not just about the victory but also about the end of an era. Two of Indian cricket’s all-time greats, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, announced their retirement from T20 Internationals. Mr Kohli, who was adjudged the player of the match for his sublime 76, was the first to declare his decision. Soon after, Rohit announced his retirement, stating that having achieved what he came for, it was time to step aside.

Celebrations erupted across India as fans took to the streets to rejoice in the historic win. In cities like Jammu, Hyderabad, Patna, and Pune, people were seen hugging, dancing, and waving the tricolour. Chants of ‘India, India’ filled the air as millions celebrated the end of a 13-year wait for a world title.

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India vs South Africa 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final will be held at the Kensington Oval on June 29, 2024

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2024 T20 World Cup Final | History and heartbreak beckon as the T20 extravaganza reaches much-awaited climax

India has not won an ICC title since 2013. South Africa has reached the final of a men’s World Cup for the first time, after seven semifinal defeats. Come Saturday, at the grand finale of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Kensington Oval, a jinx will be broken. This is a battle between the two unbeaten teams in the tournament.

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India‘s captain Rohit Sharma with team mates during the ICC men’s Twenty20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight cricket match between Australia and India at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia on June 24, 2024.
| Photo Credit: K.R Deepak

India has not won an ICC title since 2013. South Africa has reached the final of a men’s World Cup for the first time, after seven semifinal defeats.

Come Saturday, at the grand finale of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Kensington Oval, a jinx will be broken. This is a battle between the two unbeaten teams in the tournament.

India, having overcome all challenges posed by varying conditions and quality opposition, will believe that a second T20 World Cup trophy is within arm’s reach.

The side has breezed past stiff competition posed by Pakistan, Australia and England. From the low scoring games at New York to the wind-affected outing at St. Lucia, India has found a way to get the job done.

As the campaign progressed, new heroes have emerged. In the Super 8 stage against Bangladesh, Hardik Pandya hit top gear with the bat to stand tall as an ace finisher. Skipper Rohit Sharma came to life by blasting Australia all over the park, and followed it up with a fine 57 against England in the semifinal.

Kuldeep Yadav, drafted into the eleven when the side moved from USA to the West Indies, has been among the wickets. And then there is Jasprit Bumrah, who has remained unplayable from start to finish.

Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant are the other proven performers, giving the unit an air of invincibility.

Rohit’s diktat to not take a step back, to attack even when on the back foot, has brought the players to the right mindset.

India also has the added advantage of having played one game at this venue — a 47-run win over Afghanistan. This will be South Africa’s first match in the island.

The Proteas have had a few close shaves in this journey. Not least the must-win West Indies outing in the Super 8, which went down to the wire.

South Africa has the goods to tackle India’s three-man spin attack. Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs can let loose when the slow bowlers come on — a strength which most other teams lacked.

Like India, South Africa boasts of gun players in most spots. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje offer pure pace, while Marco Jansen can trouble the Indian batters with extra bounce. Quinton de Kock has fired at the top of the order, while Tabraiz Shamsi has come good with his left-arm wrist spin.

On paper, there is little to choose between the teams. It could come down to mental preparedness and staying calm under the pump.

There is a chance that rain could cause an interruption. The final has a reserve day, to go with an additional 190 minutes available on Saturday to extend playing hours. The millions watching will pray for a full and cracking contest.

The teams (from):

India: Rohit Sharma (Capt.), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (Capt.), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Tristan Stubbs.

Umpires: Christopher Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth; TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough; Fourth umpire: Rod Tucker; Match referee: Richie Richardson.