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The most awaited game of the year, the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 has arrived and it’s the battle between the two unbeaten forces, India and South Africa. For the first time ever, a team will win a tournament with an unbeaten streak, which makes this clash much more exciting.
The Proteas, who are also popularly known as the “Chokers” of cricket, which is quite explanatory with their performances in the ICC tournaments where they have managed to reach the semifinals most of the times but were yet to make an appearance in the final. With an amazing display of cricket and sheer domination over other teams, the South Africans have thrashed the tag of being the Chokers and entered the finals of the T20 World Cup 2024 by beating Afghanistan handsomely in the semis.
Coming onto the Indian team, the Indian fans are all pumped up, yet again after the heartbreaking ODI World Cup final seven months back. It still hurts the Indian fans and 19th November has become an unforgettable day in Indian cricket history.
But, India have done something to fill the void and have reached the final after the wait of 10 long years in the shortest format of the game. The only thing that can heal the pain of 19th November is the T20 World Cup trophy and that’s what legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are eager for.
There are a few reasons why this final will go down as the historical one in the cricket world.
1. For the first time, a team will be winning a trophy without any losses in the tournament. Both South Africa and India have been strongly dominant in all of their games throughout the group stage and have made it to this big clash with a streak of wins.
2. This might be the last chance for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to lift the T20 World Cup trophy. After the heartbreaking loss in the ODI World Cup, Both of these Indian giants are more than eager to lift this trophy than any other one in the world of cricket.
Even Sourav Ganguly believes that Rohit won’t be able to take two World Cup final losses and would probably jump into the Barbados Ocean if India loses this one.
3. South Africa despite being the bashers in the format, they were not able to qualify for the finals of any ICC tournament, but the Markram-led Protea fire have been tough enough to become the most competitive side being able to reach the semis in the ODI World Cup last year and the T20 World Cup now. The closest they have reached to put their hands on the silverware is tonight’s game, and they will do anything to come out on top.
While both of the teams have been playing an amazing brand of cricket with appropriate batting and bowling line-ups, the fans will be getting a thrilling final to watch.
Key to success for both the teams:
India have pulled off a near-perfect game in the semis knocking out the defending champions, England. When it comes to the batting unit, there’s enough experience to handle collapses and face the quality line-up like that of South Africa, but Kohli’s form could turn out as an issue if the inform batters have a bad day. Being a quality batter, Kohli knows how to take on bowlers like Rabada, Nortje and Marco Jansen.
And if there’s a sole reason behind India’s success in this tournament, that would undoubtedly be the bowling. Whether it’s Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel or Ravindra Jadeja, with more than 6 bowling options, India have found a perfect combination for this World Cup.
In the games against England, Australia, Pakistan and even the USA, India managed to deceive even the dangerous-looking batters with impressive bowling.
Coming onto the Proteas, they have been impeccable in this tournament to have won all of their game with amazing catches, bowling and batting displays.
Quinton De Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, and David Miller hold the key for the Proteas’ batting line-up and when it comes to the bowling department, they are well equipped with Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Anrich Nortje.
With star-studded line-ups, the stage is all set for a memorable and thrilling clash. In the end, it’s all about performing better on the big day and that day has come. Let’s see if India and Rohit Sharma will lift their second T20 World Cup title or if South Africa will keep their hands on the ICC trophy for the first time.
