WATCH: Ball-by-Ball analysis of how India pulled off a stunning victory when South Africa needed 30 runs in 30 balls

India have finally won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 after a long wait of 17 years, all thanks to the current Indian team, who successfully defended a total of 177 runs against the mighty South Africa. Like India, the Proteas were unbeaten in the tournament and almost inclining towards victory in the finals. However, India's star bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, changed the entire momentum of the match in the 16th over. 

Well, this isn't the first time Bumrah has pulled off something like this. Along with him, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh snatched the game from South Africa in the last five overs, where they needed just 30 runs to win with two set batters on the crease, Henrich Klaasen and David Miller. However, the day belonged to the Men in Blue as they managed to clinch victory over the Proteas by seven wickets. 

Also Check: The Moment Of Team India lifting second T20 World Cup title after 17 long years

Ball-by-Ball Analysis as South Africa Needed 30 Runs in 30 Balls

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16th over: South Africa needed 30 runs to win from 30 balls when Jasprit Bumrah came into the attack. The first ball was on a length, and Miller got off the mark with a run. Then came Klaasen, the most dangerous man at the moment. The second ball went for two runs, and Klaasen completed his half-century. The next two balls were dot balls, which increased the pressure on the Proteas batters. Finally, on the fifth ball, Klaasen took one run and gave the strike to Miller, who couldn't do much as the last ball was a dot. 

17th over: Then came in Hardik Pandya, India's best all-rounder. A slower delivery by Hardik at the wide line, which was misinterpreted by Klaasen. he tried to hit the ball but only managed to edge it to the keeper Pant. This was the breakthrough India were waiting for. Then came macro Jansen, who seemed pretty underconfident. The second ball went for a dot, and the third ball Jansen clipped behind square for a single. As Miller came to the strike, the heartbeat of the entire country rose. But he, too, didn't try to hit the ball and converted the strike on the fourth ball. Jansen somehow managed to get away from the strike and scored one run on the fifth ball, followed by one rum from Miller on the last ball to keep the strike. 

18th over: Bumrah came back into the attack. It was Miller's turn to face the best bowler in the world. Luckily, Miller survived two balls and took a run in the third ball. The fourth ball was a beautiful delivery from Bumrah, which kissed the bails and got to the keeper. Jansen's wicket just added pressure for the South African team as the new batter, Keshav Maharaj, faced Bumrah with fear in his eyes. The fifth ball of the over was a dot, but Maharaj ran for his life in the last ball. 

19th over: It was Arshdeep Singh's turn to torment the batters with his beautiful bowling, which he did eventually. Even though he didn't take any wickets, he conceded just 4 runs, and South Africa needed 16 runs at the end of this over. The first two balls were dots, and in the third ball, Maharaj chipped the ball onto the mid-wicket and went for a run. Then, finally, it was Miller's turn to smash Arshdeep, but he failed massively. Miller took two runs on the fourth ball and kept the strike to himself. The next ball was one run again, and the last ball was a dot. 

20th over: It was Hardik's turn to bring back the trophy to India. He understood his assignment and did precisely what he was supposed to do. South Africa needed just 16 runs off the last over, where the first ball went for a wicket. Miller hit the ball towards the long-off but couldn't get hold of it, and hence, Suryakumar Yadav took a blinder. It was the turning point of the game. However, the drama wasn't over yet. In came Rabada on the second ball and hit a boundary. The third ball then went for a run, and Maharaj came to the strike.

Maharaj's fourth ball deflected off the pads towards mid-wicket and ran for a run. While India had almost won the game, Hardik bowled a wide, which increased the game's intensity. 11 runs were needed off the last two balls, and Rabada was on strike. But it was a relief as Rabada swung the ball in the air and went straight to Suryakumar Yadav. Anrich Nortje came to play the final ball and went for a run. With that, India lifted the World Cup after 17 years. 

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