Legends lead the way as tributes pour in for India’s T20 World Cup triumph
India defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final to win their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Joyous scenes as India hold aloft coveted trophy | T20WC 2024
With this victory, India became just the third side to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup twice, England (2010, 2022) and West Indies (2012, 2016) being the only other teams to have achieved the feat.
It was a comeback for the ages, as India fought back after South Africa needed merely 30 runs at run a ball.
Tributes started to pour as soon as Hardik Pandya had delivered the final ball of the game, with cricket’s great legends leading the way.
Former India captain MS Dhoni, under whose leadership India won the inaugural T20 World Cup way back in 2007, congratulated Rohit Sharma’s side on clinching the game in the final moments.
Sachin Tendulkar congratulated among others, his former teammate, India’s outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid on this incredible feat. He also lauded India’s batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, calling it an excellent feat under India’s “Class of ‘96”.
Other former cricketing greats also joined in, giving their tributes on this spectacular win. A special mention was kept for Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh, who delivered the game-changing last five overs in the final.
And not for the first time Indian bowlers won India the game. Take a bow Hardik, Axar, Arshdeep and thr one and only Jasprit Bumrah! 🙇🙇🙇🙇
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) June 29, 2024
Incredible catch to win India the World Cup .. Absolutely fantastic final .. India have been the best team so throughly deserve the win .. SA have not been far behind though .. Brilliant World Cup ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) June 29, 2024
Finally🥹🫶🏻
— Shafali Verma (@TheShafaliVerma) June 30, 2024
Congratulations to whole india 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/YSwONNgEjF
Bumrah unbelievable, congrats India
— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) June 29, 2024
A winners medal around the neck. A winners trophy in the hand… a magical moment🏆 #T20WorldCup. Well done gentlemen!!! @BCCI #CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/5OimslUQkJ
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) June 29, 2024
What a match!
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) June 29, 2024
India outclasses South Africa to lift the #T20WorldCup trophy for the 2nd time! 🏆
Kudos to @ImRo45 for his exemplary captaincy and consistent batting throughout the tournament. The death overs were pure magic! @Jaspritbumrah93’s overs have been pure gold dust for… pic.twitter.com/GrjlhRrX4H
Congratulations to India on winning the #ICCT20CWC2024 First team to do it unbeaten in the tournament. Special special special moment. So many great narratives. South Africa’s time will come in future.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 29, 2024
Heartiest congratulations to Rohit sharma and his team .. what a game to win .. may be a World Cup in 11 yrs but the talent the country has ,they will win many more .. Bumrah is absolutely magic .. well done Virat,axar ,Hardik and every one .. rahul Dravid and the support staff…
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) June 29, 2024
This was also the occasion when two India stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, announced their respective retirements from T20I cricket. The duo finish atop the T20I run-getters list, and have a number of records to their name.
This was Kohli’s third ICC trophy title after the Men’s Cricket World Cup (2011), and the Champions Trophy (2013), whereas this was the second T20 World Cup title for Rohit Sharma, after 2007. Rohit was also a part of the Indian side that won the Champions Trophy in 2013.
Prominent cricketing personalities gave tributes to the two players, calling it the perfect finish to their T20I careers.
What a way to finish
— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 29, 2024
Two of the greatest ever to play @imVkohli @ImRo45
What a grand farewell ending . Couldn't get better
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️#T20WorldCup #ViratKohli #T20WorldCup2024 #RohitSharma𓃵 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/EGCQLhODmX
Not many sportsmen get to write their own exit script, or time their departure from a game, or format with precision. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid have done it to perfection here. Well batted gentleman👏👏👏👏👏.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 30, 2024
Great players. Great for India. What a moment to say goodbye to T20 internationals. pic.twitter.com/AUbPUn8rAg
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) June 29, 2024
Huge congratulations to team India 🇮🇳 Thoroughly deserving World Champions. Wonderful for @ImRo45 and @imVkohli to go out of the format on top. 👏👍
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381) June 30, 2024
Congratulations, @ImRo45, on an incredible T20i career! One of the most entertaining batsmen we've ever seen. Your achievements make India proud. What a perfect way to end on a high after winning the T20 World Cup! Best wishes for the future. #RohitSharma #Legend pic.twitter.com/tLEKMgZazl
— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) June 29, 2024