Star Indian batsman Virat Kohli won the match against South Africa in the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, and former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu praised him for it. Virat came through when it mattered most, scoring 76 in 59 balls with six fours and two sixes after only scoring 75 runs in the competition’s first seven innings. His runs were made with a 128.81 strike rate. In a thrilling match, his score helped India reach 176/7 in their 20 overs, which they successfully defended to limit South Africa to 169/8.
Speaking on Star Sports, Sidhu said about Virat, “When it mattered the most, when 1.5 billion Indians were praying for victory and hoping that we do not choke at the final hurdle, he stood like the rock of Gibraltar in the Sea of Ruins. He kept one end intact and delivered the World Cup crown by performing when India’s ship was stuck.”
Sidhu said that after retiring from T20 international cricket, Virat would be remembered as a “icon and the greatest inspiration” because he would not allow his run-rate to decrease once during the competition.
“In this tournament, even when he scored 38 and 24, he didn’t let the run rate drop. There was a different kind of Virat. Virat Kohli, a man of adversity, a man of masses, a master performer, a genius. For me, he will always be remembered as an icon, as the greatest inspiration, and above all, a cup of joy for billions and billions who watch cricket all over,” he said.
With eight innings remaining in the 2024 tournament, Virat finished with 151 runs at an average of 18.87 and a strike rate of 112.68, including one fifty.
Virat has amassed 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81 in 35 T20 World Cup games, including 15 half-centuries. His greatest score is 89*. In the T20 World Cup’s history, he is the leading run scorer.
In 125 T20I matches, Virat scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. He scored a century and 38 fifties and a best score of 122*. He ends the format as the second-highest run-getter of all time.
After winning the toss, India chose to bat first in the encounter. India was down 34/3, but they rallied with a 72-run counterattack led by Virat (76 in 31 balls, including one four and four sixes) and Axar Patel (47 in 31 balls). In their 20 overs, India reached 176/7 thanks to a 57-run partnership between Virat and Shivam Dube (27 in 16 balls, three fours, and a six.
Keshav Maharaj (2/23) and Anrich Nortje (2/26) were the top bowlers for SA. Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram took a wicket each.
A half-century by Heinrich Klaasen (52 in 27 balls, with two fours and five sixes) threatened to take the game away from India, but Arshdeep Singh (2/18), Jasprit Bumrah (2/20) and Hardik Pandya (3/20) made a fine comeback in the death overs, keeping SA to 169/8 in their 20 overs. Proteas was reduced to 12/2 in the run chase of 177 runs, but a 58-run partnership between Quinton de Kock (39 in 31 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Tristan Stubbs (31 in 21 balls, with three fours and a six) brought back SA into the match.
Virat secured the ‘Player of the Match’ for his performance. Now, by securing their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013, India has ended their ICC trophy drought.
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