T20 World Cup final 2024: All that South Africa needed was 30 of 30 to down India.

Dr Cricket’s take on yet another choke by the Springboks.

It was within the touching distance. Finally, after repeated heartbreaks, South Africa was on the brink of their first ever World Cup win after Klaasen had put them in the driver’s seat by slamming 24 runs of Axar Patel in one over. South Africa just needed six runs an over of the last five overs. And then they choked.

Slipping from their grasp. However, Rohit Sharma, the cagey Indian captain, went for his ace performer, Jasprit Bumrah, to provide a breakthrough. As for Bumrah, it’s never over till it’s really over.

Bumrah, appears to read the mind of every batter he bowls to before plotting their downfalls. He has a plan for them all. The pressure was on both sides. Miller understood that it’s not an easy job to play Bumrah, especially in the death overs. So, both the batters were cautious in their approach. Maybe, a bit too cautious. Bumrah only conceded 4 runs in the 16th over. Last 2 dot balls of that over showed Miller’s intent to take a few risks against other pacers rather than against Bumrah.

However, was that the right approach? Klaasen edging the first ball of the over of Pandeya exposed South Africa’s lower order batters. Klaasen’s wicket brought back hope for the Indian crowd. However, Miller’s threat still loomed.

Jansen was the next batter. He was already nervous and had a very poor day with the ball. He knew that in order for South Africa to win he would have to stay there till the end and prove himself as an allrounder. His first shot of Pandeya was a tentative drive to the covers for no run. 4 singles of the last 4 deliveries brought the target down to 22 of 18 balls. Pressure was now on the springboks.

Bumrah bowled another excellent over. Six balls, one wicket, two runs. The South Africans played directly into the Indian hands. They prodded and blocked. While Bumrah was all over them like rash, to paraphrase Ravi Shastri. His first ball to Miller was a jaffer. He came in from around the wicket and the ball seamed away from the left hander after pitching. The second ball, another dot ball. Single taken of the third and 21 runs were left of 15 deliveries.

Jansen, with his mind clouded by the pressure, never stood a chance. Bumrah cleaned him up with an inswinger which went through the gaping defences of Jansen. South Africa had, by now, lost 6 wickets. All hopes now rested with Miller. Maharaj took a single of the last ball and retained the strike. 20 needed of the last 2 overs with Arshdeep and Pandeya to ball the remaining overs.

The momentum was now with India, but one would still argue that South Africa were favourites with Miller still at the crease. The left-handed batter has the ability to win matches single handedly and has a lot of world cup experience. With Maharaj on strike, the over went as followed. 0-0-1-2-1-0. Three precious dot balls played by Maharaj. Arshdeep and India held their nerves; the South African lost theirs. The ever-improving Sikh bowled predictable lines but was accurate. Good length deliveries followed by excellent yorkers to finish the over. The odds tilted further in India’s favour with 16 needed of the ultimate over. The sea of blue roared inside the Kensington Oval stadium.

Surya Kumar Yadav rounded off Indian fight back with an excellent catch to bring about Miller’s demise on the very first delivery of the last over. India won the match by 7 runs. A stunning feat , especially keeping in mind that at one time South Africa only needed 30 0f 30 with Klaasen hitting the ball to every corner of the stadium.

Hats off to Rohit Sharma and his teammates as they kept fighting till the very end of the match and never gave up. Bumrah proved that he is the best bowler around in the limited over formats and this tournament clearly belonged to him.
South Africa, once again, lost a knockout match. Many would say they chocked again keeping in mind from where they lost. Were they able to handle the pressure? This is one of the questions that will haunt them for years to come until they win a world cup. Till then, they will have to overcome the fright that comes with the stage.