New Delhi: On this day in 2024, India defeated South Africa by 7 runs and lifted the T20 World Cup title at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. India posted a 177-run target for the Proteas in 20 overs after opting to bat first.
Virat Kohli smashed 76 runs off 59 balls with the help of six boundaries and two maximums. Axar Patel also batted brilliantly and scored 47 runs off 31 balls, hitting four maximums and one boundary in his sensational knock.
Chasing the target of 177 runs, Bumrah provided India their first breakthrough when he removed Reeza Hendricks in the second over of the run-chase, while Arshdeep Singh dismissed Aiden Markram in the ninth over. Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs forged a 58-run partnership. Heinrich Klaasen also stitched a crucial 45-run partnership with David Miller.
The South African team was in complete control of the match after Klaasen smashed Axar for 24 runs in the 15th over, but Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh pulled things back in India’s favour as the Men in Blue ended their 11-year ICC trophy drought. After winning the T20 World Cup 2024 title, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma broke down in tears.
𝟮𝟵.𝟬𝟲.𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 🗓️
Do you remember what 𝙀𝙪𝙥𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙖 feels like?
Relive that Champions feeling with the Champions 😇
One year of celebrating pride, glory, and togetherness 🇮🇳🏆#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/PubQhonxeM
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 29, 2025
Rohit, Kohli and Jadeja announce retirement from T20Is
Just when Virat Kohli was called up to receive the Player of the Match award for his match-winning knock, he announced that it was his last T20 World Cup and his last T20 game for India as well. At the post-match press conference, Indian captain Rohit Sharma also announced his retirement from T20Is, which brought an end to an era of Indian cricket. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also announced his retirement from the shortest format.
Amid the celebrations of the memorable win, no one really thought that such news was on the cards, but for the veterans, the moment was right to call time on the T20I format and pave the way for the next generation.
Massive celebrations in India
The Men in Blue were stuck in Barbados due to a cyclone and landed in Delhi on July 4 amidst huge cheers. They also met PM Narendra Modi at his residence, where they spent around two hours having breakfast.
Team India then flew to Mumbai, where they got on an open-air bus for a victory parade, which concluded at the Wankhede Stadium. The players were felicitated by the BCCI at the venue with president Roger Binny and secretary Jay Shah handing a Rs 125 crore cheque.
After that, the players danced to popular Bollywood tunes while taking a lap of honour in front of the crowd at the Wankhede. During the felicitation, Rohit said he was overwhelmed by the reception accorded to his team.
“Since the time we have come to India, it has been wonderful. This trophy is for entire nation. The huge turnout of fans to welcome us shows they were as desperate for this T20 World Cup title as we were,” Rohit said.
“It was a wonderful experience to meet PM Modi with the team. On behalf of team, fans, I want to thank the entire nation. This is a special team, I am so lucky to lead this team,” he added.