Cricket Legends Applaud as India Secures Undefeated 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Title
NEW DELHI: Tributes poured in from across the global sporting community after India clinched their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title, defeating South Africa by seven runs in a dramatic final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. India made history by becoming the first men’s team to win the tournament without losing a single match.
Dominant Campaign and Historic Final
India sealed the trophy in a tense finish, successfully defending a total of 176/7. The victory ended an 11-year wait for an ICC global trophy, sparking widespread celebrations. Former players and analysts quickly recognized the team’s commanding performance throughout the competition, correcting the narrative of past knockout-stage struggles.
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Final Match Margin | India won by 7 runs |
| Venue | Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados |
| Player of the Match | Virat Kohli (76 runs off 59 balls) |
| Player of the Tournament | Jasprit Bumrah (15 wickets, 4.17 economy rate) |
Veterans React to the Victory
Batting great Sachin Tendulkar led the applause, praising the squad for their resilient brand of cricket and calling them rightful champions after an unbeaten run. Virat Kohli, who earned Player of the Match honors for his half-century in the final, officially announced his retirement from T20 internationals following the win.
Kohli commended the team’s ability to absorb pressure during high-stakes moments. Captain Rohit Sharma also announced his retirement from the format, stepping away at the pinnacle of international T20 competition.
- Sourav Ganguly: The former captain noted the deep talent pool in Indian cricket, pointing out recent successes across the senior men’s, women’s, and Under-19 divisions.
- Michael Vaughan: The former England skipper labeled India the premier white-ball side globally, acknowledging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for building a dominant development system.
- Daren Sammy: The two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain from the West Indies stated that India was the most consistent team of the tournament.
Standout Performances Recognized
Former players singled out pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, who received the official Player of the Tournament award for his extraordinary economy rate and wicket-taking ability during the death overs. Yuvraj Singh, an ambassador for the 2024 tournament, lauded Bumrah’s execution under immense pressure.
Congratulatory messages from Harbhajan Singh, Jhulan Goswami, and international sporting figures confirmed the magnitude of the victory. For comprehensive tournament statistics and historical records, fans can review data on ESPNcricinfo.