'Rohit will lift trophy in Barbados': Jay Shah's bold prediction comes true

Bridgetown: Following India's victory in the tightly contested 2024 Men's T20 World Cup final against South Africa on Saturday, a prediction by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has garnered attention among fans.

In 2023, India won over cricket enthusiasts despite falling short of the World Cup title after a remarkable streak of 10 consecutive victories. Shah had boldly declared before the third India-England Test in February that India, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, would claim the T20 World Cup in Barbados in 2024.

On Saturday, Shah's words became reality as India's 11-year trophy drought ended by securing their second Men's T20 World Cup title.

In the match, India won the toss and chose to bat. Despite a shaky start at 34/3, a resilient partnership between Virat Kohli (76) and Axar Patel (47 off 31 balls, including one four and four sixes) added 72 runs, stabilizing India's innings. Another significant contribution came from Virat's partnership with Shivam Dube (27 off 16 balls, with three fours and a six), which helped India reach 176/7 in their allotted 20 overs.

South Africa's bowling attack was led by Keshav Maharaj (2/23) and Anrich Nortje (2/26), who were supported by Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram, each claiming a wicket.

Chasing 177 runs, South Africa stumbled early to 12/2, but a resilient partnership between Quinton de Kock (39 off 31 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Tristan Stubbs (31 off 21 balls, with three fours and a six) revived their hopes. Heinrich Klaasen's brisk half-century (52 off 27 balls, with two fours and five sixes) further pushed South Africa towards victory. However, India's bowlers, including Arshdeep Singh (2/20), Jasprit Bumrah (2/18), and Hardik Pandya (3/20), staged a remarkable comeback in the death overs, restricting South Africa to 169/8 in 20 overs.

Meanwhile, India has ended its 11-year-long ICC trophy drought, winning their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013. India is the first team to have captured the title undefeated.