Death-over bowling heroics, Kohli fifty win India T20 World Cup
Magnificent death-over bowling by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya helped India snatch the T20 World Cup at Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday.
The trio's heroics denied South Africa a win despite the almost-33-year-old Heinrich Klaasen playing the innings of his career.
Klaasen had left South Africa needing 30 off 30 balls, but once he fell for a 27-ball 52, the wheels came off for his team who ended up seven runs short at 169 for 8.
A boundary edge catch by Suryakumar Yadav to dismiss David Miller also played its part in securing India the championship and reminded many of the Richards catch Kapil Dev famously took in the 1983 ODI World Cup win.
Earlier, Virat Kohli's 76 off 59 balls and Axar Patel's cameo innings of 47 runs propelled India to post 176 for 7 in 20 overs.
Coming in at when India were reeling at 34 for 3 Axar Patel put the long handle to effective use. During his short stay he treated all the South Africa bowlers with disdain. Runs flowed from the meat of his blade. While on 47 he was unfortunately run out in a mix up with Virat Kohli.
As Rohit Sharma said Virat Kohli reserved his best for the final and came up with a responsible innings. He chose the right delivery to attack and was in full control of the innings. A six off Marco Jansen that sailed deep into the stands at long on was a class act.
Kohli while trying to up the run rate fell to Rabada as the poorly-timed pull shot was lapped up by Rabada at long leg.
South Africa's decision to open with a left-arm spinner was a master stroke and he accounted for both Rohit Sharma and Rishab Pant in his very first over to send shock waves into the packed stadium.