India clinches T20 World Cup with thrilling win over South Africa

Superstar Virat Kohli saved his finest innings of the Twenty20 World Cup for Saturday’s grand final at Kensington Oval, leading India to their second ICC T20 title with a nail-biting, six-run victory over South Africa.

Playing in what he declared afterward as his final T20 International, the 35-year-old right-hander crafted a masterful 76 off 59 deliveries, helping India recover from a shaky start to post 176 for seven in their 20 overs. Kohli, who had accumulated only 75 runs from his previous seven innings, found his form at the perfect moment, hitting six fours and two sixes.

Chasing the highest total ever in a T20 World Cup final, South Africa seemed poised for victory when they reached 151 for four at the start of the 16th over, with Heinrich Klaasen top-scoring with 52, Quinton de Kock adding 39, and Tristan Stubbs contributing 31.

However, needing 26 runs from the last four overs, seamers Hardik Pandya (3-20), Jasprit Bumrah (2-18), and Arshdeep Singh (2-20) delivered under pressure, restricting South Africa’s scoring and taking crucial wickets to seal a sensational win for India.