On This Day: India ended a decade of heartbreak with 2024 T20 World Cup glory
Team India
On this day in 2024,
Team India
gave its cricket-obsessed fans a night to remember forever by lifting the T20 World Cup trophy. The victory was more than just a title. It was the end of a painful stretch of near-misses in ICC knockouts that had haunted India for a decade.
India's campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup was all about consistency and self-belief. From the start, the team looked settled and hungry, staying unbeaten throughout the tournament. Wins over Australia and Pakistan in the group stage set the tone early. In the semi-final, India outclassed England and booked their place in the final with authority.
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The final against South Africa was a true test of nerve. Batting first, India posted 176 for 7, which remains the highest first-innings total in a T20 World Cup final.
The total gave the bowlers something to work with but the game was far from over. South Africa fought back hard, keeping the run chase alive till the last overs.
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For fans, the triumph meant more because it buried the ghosts of so many painful losses. From the 2014 T20 World Cup final and the 2015 ODI World Cup semi-final to the 2019 ODI World Cup heartbreak and the 2023 ODI World Cup final defeat, India had suffered enough.
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This victory also marked an emotional farewell.
Rohit Sharma
,
Virat Kohli
and
Ravindra Jadeja
retired from T20Is hours after lifting the trophy.
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Undo
Rahul Dravid, too, stepped away after this perfect send-off as head coach.
On that unforgettable night, India defended their total with grit.
Hardik Pandya
delivered a match-changing spell and
Jasprit Bumrah
's calm finish ensured India won by seven runs. The win not only ended the drought but paved the way for a new era, inspiring millions who still look back on this day with pride and hope.
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