India ended a 13-year wait for a world title by securing a dramatic seven-run victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final. 

Chasing 177, South Africa needed 26 from 24 balls, but Heinrich Klaasen’s dismissal for 52 turned the tide in India’s favor. 

Arshdeep Singh’s tight penultimate over left Hardik Pandya to defend 16 in the last, culminating in a stunning catch by Suryakumar Yadav to dismiss David Miller and secure India’s win.

Virat Kohli’s crucial 76 off 59 balls led India to a competitive 176-7, earning him the Player of the Match title. 

This triumph marks India’s second T20 World Cup win, their first since the inaugural tournament in 2007, and their first world title since the 2011 50-over World Cup.

Kohli and Rohit retire 

In an emotional post-match announcement, India greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma declared their retirement from T20 internationals.

Kohli, who played a pivotal role in the final, expressed his satisfaction, stating, “This was my last T20 World Cup, and this is what we wanted to achieve.” Kohli retires with 4,188 runs, including one hundred and 38 fifties, in 117 innings.

Rohit Sharma, who also announced his retirement, leaves as the highest scorer in T20 internationals with 4,231 runs and five centuries. 

“There is no better time to say goodbye to this format,” said Rohit, who captained India to their 2024 T20 World Cup win and played in the 2007 victory.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is reportedly considering appointing Australian Chris Rogers as the new head coach of the national cricket team.

Rogers, 46, currently coaches the Victoria state team and is a former opening batsman for Australia. 

SLC has initiated discussions with Rogers and two other foreign candidates, with Rogers being the youngest among them.

SLC aims to finalize the new head coach appointment before the upcoming tournament in India.

In addition, SLC has expressed dissatisfaction with the current foreign bowling coach’s performance, indicating potential further changes in the coaching staff.

Rashid Khan has been officially sanctioned by the ICC for a show of dissent towards a teammate during Afghanistan’s nerve-wracking win over Bangladesh at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Afghanistan beat Bangladesh to seal a spot in the semi-finals of the tournament for the first time in their history. But the game wasn’t short on drama, with weather delays and batting collapses ensuring there were nerves right to the end of the contest.

And all-rounder Rashid Khan showed his frustration during the final over of the first innings with an outburst that has earned him a sanction.

Having skewed a trademark snake shot into the off side, Rashid looked to tear back for a second thanks to a fumble in the ring, only to be sent back by his partner.

Rashid was already halfway down and had time to stop, hurl his bat in frustration to the floor, and then turn to make his ground comfortably, suggesting there was indeed plenty of time for a second run.

A subdued Karim Janat retrieved the bat and returned it to his still-fuming teammate, before knocking a single to give Rashid the strike for the final two balls of the over, the last of which he smoked for six to finish on 19*(10).

Rashid Khan went on to take 4/23 in the second innings as Afghanistan progressed to the semi-finals, where they will take on South Africa in Trinidad.

(icc-cricket.com)