Earth came to a standstill the moment Team India led by Rohit Sharma capped off a successful T20 World Cup 2024 campaign by beating the Aiden Markram-led Proteas unit in the Final. It was raw emotion that came out when India won that nerve-wracking T20 WC Final against South Africa at Kensington Oval, Barbados.
Be it Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli or any other Indian player, they were drenched with ‘Happy Tears’, resembling the emotion of the 2011 World Cup triumph by India at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
While the World Cup victory is no longer news, the takeaways from the same will continue to inspire the next generation of cricketers.
These are the Takeaways from T20 World Cup 2024
Catches Win You Matches
The stage was set for a close finish as SA required 16 off the last over. With David Miller at the crease, the chase was very much on. He fittingly tried to loft the low full toss bowled by Hardik Pandya out of the park. For a moment, it seemed the ball would sail over and crush the billion Indian eyes waiting to see the T20 glory.
Then came Surya Kumar Yadav who showed great presence of mind by staying away from the boundary cushion while in contact with the ball. He first stopped the ball from crossing the fence by flicking it back in the air and then taking a catch on the rebound. Very rarely, in the Indian cricket history, have we witnessed such a gallant catch taken by the fielder at the boundary rope, that too under pressure. Had that got over the fence, India may have faced another ICC tournament loss.
Play for the Team and Not Individual Milestones if You Want to Win the World Cup
Team goals reigned supreme in India’s successful T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. Rohit Sharma made Virat Kohli open alongside him in the World Cup, despite the fact that the latter had a commendable record batting at number three. India skipper thought that by allowing Virat to open alongside him, he would give the Delhi lad more time to settle in and maximise later.
Given the not-so conducive batting surfaces on offer in both the USA and West Indies, it was important that someone like Virat who takes time to get going play maximum overs. The move didn’t work all the way from the group stage to Semi-finals as Virat Kohli couldn’t score much. However, he rose, roared and took India to 176 with his 59-ball 76-run knock and helped his side win the Final by 7 runs.
Back All Your Eleven Players
Each one in the eleven is a champion provided the team reposes faith in them no matter what. Yes, playing conditions do dictate the composition of the side. However, constant chopping and changing creates confusion and chaos among the team. Something skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Rahul Dravid avoided. While the Indians were in the USA for the league stage, they kept the same team. Once they came to the Caribbean for Group 1 Super 8 round, Semi-final and Final, only one change happened. Mohd. Siraj made way for Kuldeep Yadav as Caribbean wickets suited the latter’s style of bowling. Kuldeep didn’t disappoint as he picked 10 wickets in five games.
Never Give Up Especially When You are Playing the World Cup
Although India mostly witnessed comfortable wins in the T20 WC 2024, they had a close shave against Pakistan in the league stage and South Africa in the Final. Against Pakistan, India were reduced to a mere 119 while batting first. In reply, Pakistan were cruising at 57 for 1 at the end of 10 overs. It looked like Pakistan will register their second T20 WC win over India. However, India turned the tide immediately by picking wickets at regular intervals and winning the game by six runs. In a low-scoring game, one will have to say it was a comprehensive victory for Team India.
Came the Final against South Africa and India had their backs to the wall again as Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant and Surya Kumar Yadav fell in quick succession to leave India reeling at 34 for 3. Suddenly, the pressure mounted on India. However, Virat Kohli stayed calm and in the company of Axar Patel accumulated 72 runs for the fourth wicket and then stitched another 57-run partnership with Shivam Dube to take India to 176 for 7.
In reply, South Africa were cruising with just 26 required off the last four overs with six wickets remaining. Then came the Indian comeback as the likes of Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh derailed the Proteas out of nowhere with incisive bowling.
Both these victories demonstrate that with a strong will power and a never-say-die attitude, you can overcome any hurdle as a cricket team.
Boo to Woo
Life is a huge leveller and it was proved right once again. Hardik Pandya faced the crowd boo at Wankhede Stadium for the poor showing of Mumbai Indians, the IPL franchise he led for in the 2024 season, replacing the five-time-champion skipper Rohit Sharma.
However, the finesse at which he delivered the crucial last over to seal India the game in the T20 WC 2024 Final won him laurels from fans.
Wrapping Up
That was Team India’s successful T20 WC 2024 campaign that brought the country into raptures. The key takeaways from this triumph are meant for careful consideration by the next generation. For more Insightful updates, don’t forget to visit zarooribaathai.in.
