THE climax of the ICC Men’s Cricket T20 World Cup 2024 was fascinating and dramatic. The conclusion of the first glossy tournament that included the USA and the West Indies as co-hosts was melodramatic, with tears flowing from players of both teams, after India squeezed to a victory over South Africa by just seven runs.
The USA, in their first venture as hosts to an international competition in a sport in which they are still wet behind the ears, get full marks for their effort. This should augur well for the event’s future development, as the keenness shown by players and spectators will surely encourage growth through the application of intuition and employing knowledgeable coaches.
It was also pleasing to witness the appearances of Papua New Guinea, Uganda, Namibia, Oman, Nepal and others, surely recognising the strides Afghanistan made to reach the quarter-final in a World Cup.
This is a very positive sign for many countries that are enjoying and loving the game and willing to start off their youngsters in their schools, while opening them up to competition. For the sake of cricket and its growth in the future this WC is a blessing.
The television audience was huge throughout the world of cricket lovers, from the UK, India, Pakistan, the West Indies, and other cricket nations: through the billion and more TV witnesses, there will even be a deeper interest in the game of cricket.
The 20-over game will attract them, but will act only as a starter, since the players will certainly come to understand that to improve their skills in all the aspects necessary – for instance batting technique, bowling proficiency, fielding and wicket-keeping abilities – will require playing in the longer format of the sport.
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Their eagerness to learn, plus their aptitude to be valuable to their team’s purpose, will produce the satisfaction they seek, if only to play the shorter forms of the game.
The final was a game that swung from one team to the other. Rohit Sharma, the captain and one of the most prolific batsmen on the Indian side, after winning the toss and deciding to bat first, was soon out for nine, to be followed by Rishabh Pant for a duck.
Both were victims of Keshav Maharaj, a left-arm orthodox spinner. In no time at all SA were on top. Suryakumar Yadav was then swiftly removed by fast bowler Kagiso Rabada so that the scoreline quickly became 34 for three.
This was the powerful India batting lineup that was crumbling. But notice had to be taken that India’s best batsman, Virat Kohli, was still at the wicket. However, this champion batsman’s performances had not been up to par in the series and the consideration was whether he should open in the final or be used in the middle order.
Still, class is class and the stubborn reliance on Kohli to open finally paid off, whereupon, he influenced his willing partners Axar Patel and Shivam Dube, who got 27 from 16 deliveries. Patel was unfortunately run out for 47 by a smart piece of
