ICC T20 World Cup 2024: India Beat South Africa in Final — Ending 17-Year T20 WC Drought
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 was the ninth edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup and was co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA. It was the first ICC event co-hosted by the USA. India won the tournament for only the second time (their first T20 World Cup win was in 2007), defeating South Africa by 7 runs in the final at Kensington Oval, Barbados on 29 June 2024. India scored 176 for 4. South Africa needed 16 off the last over with 2 wickets in hand; they scored 169 for 8. Hardik Pandya bowled the last over. Virat Kohli scored 76 — his highest T20I score — in the final. Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Tournament for his extraordinary bowling across the event. The win ended India's 17-year wait for a T20 World Cup title.
The ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 was co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States of America in June 2024 — the first ICC event co-hosted by the USA. Matches in the USA were played at the newly-built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York and the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Texas. The USA venue was notable for the group-stage match between India and Pakistan, where India won by 6 runs (Bumrah's economy and swing being decisive). The tournament featured 20 teams for the first time — a Super 8 stage replaced the previous Super 12 format.
India's Tournament Run and the Final
India were unbeaten throughout the tournament, winning all 8 matches they played including the final. They defeated England in the semi-final at Providence, Guyana by 68 runs (India 171; England 103). The final at Kensington Oval, Barbados on 29 June 2024 was a tense match. India scored 176 for 4 — Virat Kohli scored 76, his highest T20I score in a World Cup match. South Africa, chasing 177, needed 16 runs off the last over with 2 wickets in hand. Hardik Pandya bowled the over — he conceded just 8 runs and India won by 7 runs. South Africa were 169 for 8 at the finish.
India's 17-Year Wait and the Retirement of Rohit, Kohli, Jadeja
India's previous T20 World Cup win was in 2007 — the inaugural edition, captained by Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The 2024 win ended a 17-year gap between titles. The tournament was also significant for a number of retirements announced immediately after: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja all retired from T20 International cricket following India's victory celebration in Barbados. Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Tournament for taking 15 wickets across the event at an economy of under 4.5 — extraordinary figures across eight matches. India captain Rohit Sharma was named in the Team of the Tournament.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024?
India won the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, defeating South Africa by 7 runs in the final at Kensington Oval, Barbados on 29 June 2024. India scored 176 for 4 (Virat Kohli 76). South Africa needed 16 off the last over; Hardik Pandya conceded just 8. South Africa finished 169 for 8. It was India's second T20 World Cup title — their first was in 2007 — ending a 17-year wait. Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Tournament.
What happened immediately after India won the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup?
After India's victory at the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup final in Barbados, three senior players — Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja — retired from T20 International cricket. All three had played key roles in the 2024 tournament. Rohit Sharma captained the team throughout; Kohli scored 76 in the final. Their retirements marked a significant transition in Indian cricket's T20 era.