India Ends 11-Year Trophy Drought with Dramatic Win Over South Africa, Their Second T20 World Cup Title, defeating South Africa in a nail-biting final on June 29th. This victory marks the end of an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy for the passionate Indian fans, sending the nation into madness.
Diverse Pitches and Upsets Galore
The aim of the 2024 T20 World Cup, which was hosted by the USA and the West Indies, was to increase cricket’s popularity in the US. Stadiums in Dallas and New York were packed with American fans, proving the tournament’s ability to promote the growth of the sport.
The unique aspect of this session was the variety of pitches given at various locations. Fast bowlers were favoured by the Nassau County Cricket Club in New York, which made scores between 120 and 130 very close. The Caribbean leg provided a sharp contrast, as high-scoring matches were produced by batting-friendly surfaces in Barbados and St. Lucia. Pitch support for spinners was provided in places like Trinidad, Antigua, St. Vincent, and Guyana, where totals of 150–160 were difficult to reach. There could not have been a T20 World Cup with such a diverse range of playing conditions.
Underdogs Shine Brightly
The 20 team competition provided a platform for thrilling underdog stories. The co-hosts, the USA etched their names in cricketing history by defeating Pakistan in a dramatic Super Over and then qualifying for the Super 8 stage. Afghanistan, another underdog, stunned New Zealand in the group stage, securing their place in the Super 8 at the expense of the Kiwis. Their journey did not end there as they pulled off a sensational victory against Australia to reach the semi-finals exceeding everyone’s expectations. Even Scotland came close to a Super 8 falling short only on the net run rate.
Also Read: Top 5 Underrated Knocks of T20 World Cup 2024
T20 World Cup 2024 An Unprecedented Final: Two Unbeaten Teams Go Head-to-Head
India and South Africa were the two undefeated teams playing in the final of the T20 World Cup for the first time. With victories in all seven of their campaign’s games—all of which were close contests that powered the greatest T20 World Cup debate—They had a perfect run.
The actual final was a difficult situation. Many predicted that South Africa would win easily, needing just 27 runs from 28 deliveries with six wickets left. But a strong bowling attack from India and some smart leadership choices turned the tide, setting up a thrilling climax that had fans on the edge of their seats right up until the very last delivery.
