‘Oh my god’: South Africa chokes as World Cup final storm erupts

India has won the T20 World Cup in wild scenes as South Africa solidified its unfortunate reputation of being a nation of chokers.

A nation of chokers.

South Africa’s brutal reputation of botching chances to win the World Cup has continued as a storm erupted following India’s wild T20 World Cup final triumph on Sunday morning (AEDT).

South Africa captain Aiden Markram said he was “gutted” after his team lost their first-ever T20 World Cup final by seven runs at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown.

Despite being given the task of chasing the biggest total ever scored in a T20 World Cup final (7/176), South Africa had one hand on the trophy needing just 30 runs with 30 balls to spare.

It all unravelled at alarming speed and they finished 8/169.

Having ended a run of seven semi-final losses — in both short-form formats — with their victory over Afghanistan on Thursday, this one will haunt the South Africans after finishing so close to the country’s maiden World Cup victory.

Heinrich Klaasen’s blistering 52 from 27 balls, with five sixes and two fours, put South Africa in position to win before India’s ‘death’ bowlers turned the screw.

“Obviously gutted. It will take some time for us to reflect on this. We’ve had a great campaign but for the time being, this hurts. I am so proud of all my players and everyone involved in this team,” said Markram.

Suryakumar Yadav caught the World Cup. Photo: Prime Video.

“We bowled very well, the pitch didn’t give them much to work with. We thought it was a chaseable total. It was a great game of cricket, I’m chuffed with all my guys, it’s hard not to get over the line but I’ll always be proud of them,” he said.

“We’ve seen that it’s not over until the last ball for a lot of our games. It changed quickly at the end there. But we were in a great position. We know we could’ve won the game,” he added.

Markram said he was proud that the hunger for success that his team had shown throughout their unbeaten run to the final had been evident until the very end.

“One thing you can guarantee from South African people is that they are competitive, but they are respectful. We pride ourselves on that. Hopefully moving forward we can learn from this and use it.

“This will always be a proud day for us, regardless,” he said.

India's Suryakumar Yadav celebrates another catch. Photo by Chandan Khanna / AFP)

South Africa's captain Aiden Markram waits to accept the second place medal. Photo by Chandan Khanna / AFP.

The match turned violently after Klaasen’s dismissal as the Proteas lost 4/17.

They were right in it needing 16 runs off the last over, but it was over on the first delivery when Suryakumar Yadav claimed one of the great out-field catches to dismiss David Miller.

Hardik Pandya bowled a full-toss at Miller who smashed it high straight down the ground but Yadav snatched it while running at full speed across the boundary, throwing the ball back into play before he crossed the ropes and then returning to complete the catch.

There appeared to be no issue with the catch at the time and the dismissal was not reviewed by match officials.

However, eagle-eyed fans have spotted a case for South Africa to argue that Yadav’s foot had made contact with the rope.

This catch and Surya Kumar Yadav have become immortal.. pic.twitter.com/ju5B7fpkOr

— Shrin (@ShrrinG) June 29, 2024

This certainly deserved more than one look, just saying. Boundary rope looks like it clearly moves. 🤷 pic.twitter.com/ulWyT5IJxy

— Ben Curtis 🇿🇦 (@BenCurtis22) June 29, 2024

In the end it didn’t matter and there are few who believe India didn’t deserve the victory after such a devastating display of bowling.

The catch will be remembered for a long time to come.

“Oh my god. I don’t believe what I’ve just seen,” Kiwi great Ian Smith said in commentary on Prime Video.

The BBC described it as “one of the greatest catches in the cricketing history.

It is a particularly massive win for India after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirements from international T20 cricket.

Kohli starring in the thrilling seven run victory.

Kohli steadied the India innings with his fine 76 taking them to a strong 176-7.

The win is the second T20 World Cup title for India following their triumph in the first edition in 2007 and it also ends their 11-year wait for a major title going back to the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Kuldeep Yadav of India lifts the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup Trophy. Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images.

Veteran Kohli had struggled in the tournament, coming into the final with an average of just 10.7, but he delivered his best innings at the perfect moment with his balanced batting ensuring India won the title after an unbeaten tournament.

“I am so proud to get the runs for the team the day it mattered most,” said Kohli.

“The occasion prompted that change for me, I felt like it was now or never. We have wanted to lift a trophy for a long time.

“The occasion made me put my head down, respect the situation and play the innings that the team needed from me.

“I wasn’t feeling myself before today. I wasn’t confident. So I am very grateful and humble right now. It has been difficult, so there are a lot of emotions,” he added, confirming that the game was his last T20 for India.

“This was an open secret. It’s time for the next generation to take over.”

South Africa’s only major honour in the game is the Champions Trophy title won in 1998.

— with AFP