India propelled by exceptional bowling from Jasprit Bumrah (2 for 18) finally ended their recent heartbreak in finals to beat South Africa by seven runs and win the T20 World Cup
Barbados: India 176-7, South Africa 169-8 - India won by seven runs
India win the T20 World Cup with a seven-run win over South Africa in Barbados.
A welcome return to form for Virat Kohli, who scored 76 off 59 balls, helped India recover from a rocky start to post 176 for 7 before South Africa suffered more World Cup heartbreak to fall seven runs short.
The powerplay belonged to South Africa as Keshav Maharaj removed Rohit Sharma (9) and Rishabh Pant (0) and Kagiso Rabada had Suryakumar Yadav (3) caught at fine leg to leave India rocked at 45 for three.
Kagiso Rabada celebrates the wicket of Suryakumar Yadav which was the third powerplay wicket India lost (Randy Brooks/Getty Images)
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A partnership worth 72 off 54 balls from Virat Kohli and Axar Patel (47 off 31) rescued the innings before the latter was run out brilliantly by Quinton de Kock. A cameo from Shivam Dube (27) took India to the highest T20 World Cup final total despite Anrich Nortje striking twice in the final over.
The bowling side also won the powerplay in the second innings as Jasprit Bumrah bowled Reeza Hendricks (4) with an excellent delivery and Arshdeep Singh had Aiden Markram (4) caught behind. South Africa were 42 for 2 at the end of the powerplay.
The Proteas kept in touch with the rate but Axar Patel bowled Tristan Stubbs (31 off 21) to break his partnership of 58 with de Kock. A ball after hitting a six in the same area, de Kock (39) holed out to fine leg off the bowling of Arshdeep Singh.
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Heinrich Klaasen, who reached his fifty from 23 balls, took control of the chase by taking 24 off Axar's final over, meaning they needed 30 off 30 balls.
A Hardik Pandya slower ball brought an end to Klaasen's magnificent knock to renew India's hope of World Cup glory. This was further enhanced when more brilliance from Bumrah bowled Marco Jansen (2) to tip the game in India's favour again.
David Miller (21 off 17), who needed 16 off the final over, was caught exceptionally by Yadav on the first ball of the final over to all but win the game for his team.
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