Former India World Cup-winning captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni extended his heartfelt congratulations to the Indian team for their triumphant victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, emerged victorious after a nail-biting seven-run win over South Africa in the final held in Barbados on Saturday.
Dhoni, a legend of the game and a former captain who led India to glory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, took to social media to express his pride and admiration. In a heartfelt post, he wrote, “World Cup Champions 2024. My heart rate was up, well done on being calm, having the self-belief and doing what u guys did. From all the Indians back home and everywhere in the world a big thank you for bringing the World Cup home.”
The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions. India, after setting a target of 176 for seven in their allotted 20 overs, rode on the brilliance of Virat Kohli’s 76-run knock off 59 balls and Axar Patel’s explosive 47 runs from just 31 deliveries. However, South Africa, known for their aggressive batting style, kept the pressure on throughout the chase.
India’s bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, delivered crucial blows in the later overs, containing the South African onslaught. With 16 runs needed off the final over, all-rounder Hardik Pandya held his nerve and delivered a series of intelligent deliveries, ultimately securing a seven-run victory for India.
The match was filled with dramatic moments, including Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning catch at long-off to dismiss the dangerous David Miller, effectively ending South Africa’s hopes of a comeback. The final over saw Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada, both renowned for their big hitting, unable to make the desired impact against Pandya’s cunning bowling.
This victory marks a significant milestone for the Indian cricket team, marking their first T20 World Cup triumph since 2007. It also represents a resurgence for the Men in Blue, who had been yearning for an ICC title since their 2013 Champions Trophy victory. Dhoni’s words of praise resonate with the nation’s joy and reflect the collective sense of pride in India’s hard-earned win.
