‘India Deserved the Title’: Shahid Afridi Hails Undefeated 2024 T20 World Cup Champions

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has expressed his admiration for the Indian cricket team following their historic victory in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Reflecting on the monumental achievement, Afridi focused on India’s unbeaten run in the West Indies and the United States, cementing their status as the premier force in international cricket.

Afridi Lauds India’s Undefeated Campaign

In a social media address, the legendary all-rounder emphasized that India was the rightful winner of the global tournament. Rohit Sharma’s squad secured the trophy by defeating South Africa by seven runs in Barbados on June 29, 2024. The victory marked India’s second T20 World Cup title, ending a 17-year drought since their inaugural win in 2007.

“The World Cup is over. I think India deserved the title. They have a great team combination,” Afridi noted. “They played the whole tournament as champions.”

Key Records Set by India in 2024

• First team to win the Men’s T20 World Cup without losing a single match.
• Highest win percentage (100%) in a single T20 World Cup edition.
• Second nation to win the tournament twice, alongside England and the West Indies.

Jasprit Bumrah: The Backbone of India’s Attack

Afridi reserved specific praise for fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who earned the Player of the Tournament award for his extraordinary economy rate and key wickets.

“Jasprit Bumrah was the backbone of their bowling who has carried India on his back for a long time with his impressive performances,” Afridi remarked. “Be it with the new ball, old ball, slower one or yorker, he is one of the best bowlers in my opinion.”

Bumrah finished the 2024 campaign with 15 wickets at an astonishing economy rate of 4.17, solidifying his status as a premier match-winner. His performance has been heavily recognized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India and global cricket analysts.

Unmatched Bench Strength and Reserve Talent

Afridi also highlighted India’s formidable roster depth. “The players sitting on the bench were also as good as the playing XI. This is why I say that your bench needs to be strong. India’s bench was very strong; they could have picked anyone from there and slotted them into the playing XI,” he explained.

This depth became evident during bilateral fixtures following the main tournament, where reserve players validated Afridi’s assessment. Commenting on the performances of emerging stars in recent T20I matches, Afridi added, “Sanju Samson was outstanding. He got the opportunity and he delivered with his sensible hitting and his ability to build the innings. Abhishek Sharma also performed well tonight. Ishan Kishan also performed outstandingly, just like he had performed against Pakistan.”

2024 T20 World Cup Final: Verified Match Data

For accurate reference, here are the verified statistics from the championship match:

India won the match by 7 runs. For complete match scorecards and official records, visit ESPN Cricinfo or the official International Cricket Council website.