India joined West Indies and England as multiple-time T20 World Cup winners.
India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and decided to bat first. Rohit, on the other hand, was dismissed after only nine runs. Though Virat Kohli anchored one end, India lost Rishabh Pant (0) and Suryakumar Yadav (3) early on.
But Kohli and Akshar Patel (47 with four sixes and one four) scored 72 runs for the fourth wicket. Kohli went on to smash 76 in 59 balls, including six fours and two sixes, as India reached 176/7 in 20 overs. Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje picked up two wickets apiece.
In reply, Quinton de Kock (39) stood firm as South Africa lost wickets quickly. Tristan Stubbs (31) and Heinrich Klaasen (52) drew South Africa back into the game, with Klaasen hammering Akshar Patel for 24 runs in the 15th over.
But then Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh bowled superbly, choking the South African hitters, and India won by 7 runs. Hardik Pandya took 3/20, with Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah taking 2 wickets each.
Virat Kohli was chosen Player of the Final, and he announced his T20I retirement. Jasprit Bumrah was named Player of the Tournament.
The Indian cricket fraternity was overcome with emotions and was overjoyed after seeing India become T20 World champions for the second time after 17 years. They took to social media and shared emotions and congratulations.
Here are some of the posts: