Cricket 2024: India’s Long Wait And Triumph

India’s ICC title drought, spanning 11 years, finally ended with a spectacular victory in the ICC T20 World Cup held in the USA and the Caribbean this year. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India claimed its second T20 World Cup title, becoming the third team, after the West Indies and England, to win the trophy twice.

Road to Victory

Group Stage Dominance

India started their campaign with a commanding eight-wicket win over Ireland in New York. Hardik Pandya’s three wickets and Rohit Sharma’s quickfire 52 off 37 balls set the tone, while Jasprit Bumrah’s miserly spell of 2/6 in three overs earned him the Player of the Match award.

In their next encounter, India faced arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue. Defending a modest 119, Indian bowlers staged a remarkable comeback to secure a thrilling six-run victory. Bumrah once again shone with the ball, claiming his second consecutive Player of the Match accolade.

India continued their winning run against hosts USA in New York, chasing down a target of 111 with seven wickets in hand. Arshdeep Singh’s devastating spell of 4/9 in four overs was the highlight, earning him Player of the Match honors. A rain-affected match against Canada in Florida resulted in a no-result, but India still topped Group A to advance to the Super 8 stage.

Super 8 Brilliance

In the Super 8 stage, India shifted to the Caribbean, where they maintained their dominance. They defeated Afghanistan by 47 runs at Kensington Oval, with Suryakumar Yadav’s blistering 53 off 28 balls earning him Player of the Match. Against Bangladesh, Hardik Pandya’s all-round performance helped India secure a 50-run win and a semi-final berth.

India faced reigning 50-over champions Australia in their final Super 8 match. Rohit Sharma’s captain’s knock of 92 off 41 balls powered India to a 24-run victory, eliminating Australia and cementing India’s unbeaten record in the group stage.

Semi-Final Showdown

In the semi-final at Providence Stadium, Guyana, India faced defending champions England. Rohit Sharma led with a crucial 57 off 39 balls as India posted 171/7. England’s batting crumbled under pressure, with Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav each taking three wickets. India stormed into the final with a resounding 68-run victory, and Axar was named Player of the Match.

A Thrilling Final

The final at Kensington Oval saw India take on South Africa, who were eyeing their maiden T20 World Cup title. Virat Kohli anchored the innings with a sublime 76 off 59 balls, guiding India to 176/7. Despite a spirited chase by South Africa, India’s bowlers held their nerve to seal a seven-run victory. Kohli was named Player of the Match, while Bumrah’s stellar 15 wickets throughout the tournament earned him Player of the Series honors.

Key Performances

• Jasprit Bumrah: Player of the Series, with 15 wickets at an economy rate of 4.5.
• Arshdeep Singh: Joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi, with 17 wickets each.
• Rohit Sharma: India’s top scorer with 257 runs in eight innings, second only to Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz (281 runs).

Legacy

Rohit Sharma etched his name in history, becoming the second Indian captain after MS Dhoni to lift the ICC T20 World Cup. This victory ended India’s 11-year ICC title drought, 13-year wait for a World Cup, and 17-year T20 World Cup hiatus, reaffirming their status as a cricketing powerhouse. (ANI)