The 2024 T20 World Cup final is set to witness a clash between India and South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. As anticipation builds, it’s worth revisiting some of the most memorable performances in T20 World Cup finals, innings that have left a lasting impact on the tournament’s history.
One name that immediately springs to mind is Marlon Samuels, a West Indies legend who has twice graced T20 World Cup finals with brilliance. In 2016, against England, the West Indies found themselves in trouble at 11/3 chasing 156. Samuels, stepping in at number three, remained unbeaten on 85, steering his team to victory in the final over. His 2012 final performance against Sri Lanka in Colombo was equally impressive. West Indies, losing early wickets, found stability in Samuels’ responsible 78 off 56 balls, guiding them to 137/6. He further contributed with a wicket and 15 runs in his four overs, securing a 36-run win.
Mitchell Marsh, representing Australia, etched his name into T20 World Cup history with his heroics in the 2021 final. In Australia’s first-ever T20 World Cup triumph, Marsh, batting at number three, led the chase of 173 against New Zealand with an unbeaten 77 off 50 balls, hitting four sixes and six fours. His match-winning innings at Dubai International Stadium sealed a memorable victory for Australia.
Indian fans will fondly remember Gautam Gambhir’s contribution to India’s 2007 T20 World Cup victory. Against Pakistan in the final at New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg, Gambhir’s 75 off 54 balls, decorated with eight fours and two sixes, set the platform for India’s eventual 157/5 in the first innings. His crucial innings paved the way for a historic win against their arch-rivals.
Craig Kieswetter, an England opener, emerged as the player of the match in the 2010 T20 World Cup final, held at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados. His quickfire 63 off 49 balls, including seven fours and two sixes, set up England’s successful chase of 148 against Australia. His explosive fifty played a vital role in England’s triumph.
These iconic performances, each etched in the annals of T20 World Cup history, serve as a reminder of the thrilling moments and the individual brilliance that have defined this global tournament. As India and South Africa prepare for their own showdown in the 2024 final, the anticipation is palpable, and the hope for another memorable performance that will be etched into the tournament’s legacy is high.
