The ninth edition of the T20 World Cup concluded dramatically with India emerging victorious after a 17-year hiatus, led by Rohit Sharma’s astute captaincy.
India’s win was monumental, marking their first title in nearly two decades and serving as a poignant farewell for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who announced their retirement from T20I cricket post-victory.
South Africa’s hopes were dashed by India’s disciplined bowling attack, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, who applied relentless pressure, restricting runs effectively.
India’s fielding in the final was exceptional, contributing significantly to their clinical victory.
Highlights of T20 World Cup 2024
The T20 World Cup 2024 was an emotional rollercoaster, featuring highs and lows that captivated fans worldwide.
Key Moments:
Top Scorer:
Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz topped the batting charts with 281 runs in 8 matches.
Highest Wicket-Taker:
Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi and India’s Arshdeep Singh shared the leading wicket-taker spot with 17 scalps each, followed by Jasprit Bumrah with 15 wickets.
Record Sixes:
A record 517 sixes were hit in the tournament, the highest ever in a T20 World Cup.
USA Upset:
The USA stunned Pakistan in a thrilling encounter, forcing a Super Over and ultimately qualifying for the Super Eight stage.
India-Pakistan Thriller:
India narrowly defeated Pakistan by 6 runs in a tense match in New York, propelled by Jasprit Bumrah’s pivotal bowling performance.
USA Penalized:
In a historic match, the USA became the first team to be penalized under the new stop-clock rule, affecting their match against India.
Afghanistan’s Upsets:
Afghanistan surprised with victories over New Zealand and Australia, reaching the semi-finals for the first time.
Lockie Ferguson’s Record:
New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson achieved a historic bowling feat, recording the most economical spell in T20I history.
Controversy with Afghanistan:
Afghanistan faced controversy when Gulbadin Naib was accused of a ‘fake injury’ during a crucial match against Bangladesh.
Hat-Tricks:
Pat Cummins of Australia achieved consecutive hat-tricks in the Super Eights, while Chris Jordan of England also claimed a hat-trick.
South Africa’s Record Wins:
South Africa set a new record with 8 consecutive wins in a single T20 World Cup, a remarkable achievement in tournament history.
Retirements:
Several players announced their retirements post-event, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and others from various countries.
Overall, the T20 World Cup 2024 provided thrilling cricket moments and emotional farewells, cementing its place as a memorable tournament in cricket history.
