The stage is set for a thrilling showdown as India and South Africa gear up to face each other in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup. This epic clash will take place on June 29 at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados. Both teams have been unbeaten throughout the tournament, promising fans a spectacular contest.
South Africa cruised into their first ICC World Cup final by dismantling Afghanistan in the semifinals, winning by nine wickets. The Proteas’ bowlers were ruthless, dismissing Afghanistan for a meager 56, and then chased down the target with 67 balls to spare.
Meanwhile, India secured their spot in the final by defeating defending champions England. Opting to bat first, Rohit Sharma (57) and Suryakumar Yadav (47) guided India to a competitive total of 171. The Indian bowlers then dominated, with spinners Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav each taking three wickets, and Jasprit Bumrah adding two more. England’s batsmen struggled, and India won comfortably by 68 runs, reaching their first T20 World Cup final since 2014.
As we eagerly await this mega contest, let’s look back at the top five knocks in men’s T20 World Cup finals.
#5 Virat Kohli (India vs Sri Lanka, 2014)
In the final of the 2014 T20 World Cup at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl. India suffered an early setback with Ajinkya Rahane (3) falling cheaply, but a 60-run partnership between Rohit Sharma (29) and Virat Kohli followed.
However, Indian batters struggled to score quickly against Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling. Kohli, undeterred, played a brilliant knock of 77 runs off 58 balls, hitting five fours and four sixes, helping India post a total of 130 runs. Despite Kohli’s heroics, Sri Lanka chased down the target comfortably, led by Kumar Sangakkara’s unbeaten 52, to win by six wickets with 13 balls to spare.
#4 Gautam Gambhir (India vs Pakistan, 2007)
In the inaugural T20 World Cup final in 2007, India faced arch-rivals Pakistan in Johannesburg. India, after winning the toss, lost early wickets, with Yusuf Pathan (15) and Robin Uthappa (8) falling cheaply. Yuvraj Singh (14) also failed to make an impact.
Gautam Gambhir rose to the occasion, scoring a vital 75 runs off 54 balls, including eight fours and two sixes. His innings, along with a late cameo from Rohit Sharma, helped India post 157 runs. In a thrilling finish, Pakistan needed 13 runs off the last over, but Joginder Sharma dismissed Misbah-ul-Haq to seal a memorable five-run victory for India.
#3 Marlon Samuels (Sri Lanka vs West Indies, 2012)
The West Indies faced host Sri Lanka in the final of the 2012 T20 World Cup in Colombo. Batting first, West Indies lost early wickets, with Johnson Charles (0) and Chris Gayle (3) falling cheaply.
Marlon Samuels played a match-winning knock of 78 runs off 56 balls, hitting three fours and six sixes, propelling the West Indies to 137 runs. In reply, Sri Lanka started well but faltered, with Sunil Narine taking three wickets. The West Indies won by 36 runs, securing their first T20 World Cup title.
#2 Mitchell Marsh (Australia vs New Zealand, 2021)
In the 2021 T20 World Cup final at the Dubai International Stadium, Australia won the toss and chose to field. New Zealand, led by Kane Williamson’s 85 off 48 balls, set a target of 172.
Mitchell Marsh was unstoppable that night. After Aaron Finch’s early dismissal, Marsh, along with David Warner (53), built a solid partnership. Marsh remained unbeaten on 77 off 50 balls, hitting six fours and four sixes, guiding Australia to an eight-wicket victory with seven balls to spare.
#1 Marlon Samuels (West Indies vs England, 2016)
In the 2016 T20 World Cup final at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, the West Indies chose to field after winning the toss. England, powered by Joe Root (54) and Jos Buttler (36), set a target of 155.
England started strong, taking three wickets in the powerplay. But Marlon Samuels, with a resilient 85 not out off 66 balls, led a West Indies recovery. The dramatic finish saw Carlos Braithwaite hit four consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes in the final over, securing a thrilling victory. Samuels’ unbeaten knock, featuring nine fours and two sixes, was pivotal in the West Indies clinching their second T20 World Cup trophy.
As India and South Africa prepare for their showdown, these iconic performances serve as a reminder of the extraordinary feats possible in T20 cricket finals.
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