New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Team India's triumphant performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, celebrating their second title win after defeating South Africa by seven runs in Barbados.

The Prime Minister called upon the team and congratulated them for their splendid feat. 

In a series of tweets, PM Modi commended the Men in Blue for their exceptional skill and spirit throughout the tournament. He conveyed his congratulations to the team, emphasising their exemplary success on the global stage. PM Modi specifically highlighted India's aggressive mindset under the leadership of captain Rohit Sharma, noting his pivotal role in shaping the team's performance and expressing confidence that Rohit's T20 legacy will endure.

PM Modi also acknowledged Virat Kohli's pivotal innings in the final match, where his commanding batting anchored India's innings splendidly. He praised Kohli for his contributions across all formats of the game and expressed a belief that Kohli will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers despite his retirement from T20 cricket.

Furthermore, PM Modi lauded departing head coach Rahul Dravid for his significant impact on Indian cricket. He credited Dravid's coaching journey for transforming the team through strategic insights and nurturing talent. PM Modi expressed gratitude to Dravid for his contributions and for inspiring multiple generations of cricketers, culminating in India's T20 World Cup triumph.

Recapping the final match, PM Modi highlighted India's decision to bat first after winning the toss. Despite early setbacks with the loss of three wickets, Virat Kohli's resilient innings of 76 runs and Axar Patel's aggressive 47 provided a crucial partnership that propelled India to a competitive total of 176/7 in 20 overs. South Africa's bowlers, led by Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje, made significant contributions but were challenged by India's late-order resistance.

In reply, South Africa started poorly, losing early wickets but recovered through partnerships involving Quinton de Kock, Tristan Stubbs, and Heinrich Klaasen. However, India's bowlers, including Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya, staged a remarkable comeback in the death overs, restricting South Africa to 169/8 and securing victory for India by seven runs. Virat Kohli was awarded the 'Player of the Match' for his pivotal innings.

The victory marked India's first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013, ending their drought in ICC tournaments. PM Modi's messages not only celebrated the team's achievement but also underscored the significance of cricket in India's sporting culture, applauding the players and coaching staff for their dedication and commitment to excellence on the international stage. Agencies