BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, June  29, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - India won the T20 World

Cup title with a thrilling seven run victory over South Africa in a classic

final at Kensington Oval on Saturday.

  Virat Kohli's 76 led India to a strong 176-7 but after Heinrich Klaasen

blasted a superb 52 from 27 balls South Africa were closing in on victory only

to be halted by some outstanding Indian bowling at the end.

South Africa ended on 169-8 with Hardik Pandya taking 3-20 for India to the

delight of the huge Indian following at the stadium.

                  
 Kohli had struggled in the tournament but he delivered his best innings at

the perfect moment with his balanced batting.

  It was just what was needed for India who had slipped to 34 for three after

their captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat.

   In what has been a low scoring tournament, the total looked to be a

daunting one for South Africa but then Quinton de Kock (39) and Tristan Stubbs

(31) set the Proteeas on their way before Klaasen turned the game in their

direction in the 15th over, smashing Axar Patel for 24 including two fours and

two sixes.

   When Klaasen was finally removed, caught behind off Hardik Pandya, the

Proteas needed just 26 off the last 23 balls.

    Knowing they had to take the initiative, Rohit turned early for Jasprit

Bumrah's final over and he answered the skipper's call perfectly, bowling Marco

Jansen and conceding just two runs in the 18th over.

   That meant South Africa needed 20 from the final two overs and Arshdeep

Singh bowled a superb length to allow just four.

 With 16 to win off the last over, Pandya bowled a full-toss at Miller who

smashed it high straight down the ground but Suryakumar Yadav produced a

breath-taking catch on the boundary, throwing the ball back into play before he

crossed the ropes and then returning to complete the catch.

                   Kagiso Rabada came in and edged a four and Pandya showed some nerves with a

wide but the seamer kept his cool to ensure silverware for India after they

lost in last year's 50 Over World Cup on home soil.