NEW DELHI (AP) — Cricket fans across India came out onto the streets, waving the national flag and setting off firecrackers to celebrate the national team’s seven-run win against South Africa in a gripping final of the Twenty20 World Cup on Saturday.
It was India’s second T20 World Cup but its first title in 13 years and the frustration had been building. Over the last 12 months, India lost the World Test Championship final and also the 50-over World Cup final at home.
Virat Kohli’s first half-century of the tournament in what he later revealed was his last T20 international anchored India to 176-7 after captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat. South Africa appeared to be on course to reach the target but faltered late on and fell just short.
Sharma later announced his own retirement from T20 internationals.
Cricket is the most popular sport in India, a country of 1.4 billion people.
Indian cricket fans in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, celebrated on Saturday after the team pulled off a sensational seven-run win against South Africa in a gripping final of the Twenty20 World Cup. (AP video by Ajit Solanki)
Cricket fans watch the live coverage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final match between India and South Africa being played in Bridgetown, Barbados, in Guwahati, India, Saturday June 29 2024. (AP photo/Anupam Nath)
A cricket fan watches the live coverage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final match between India and South Africa being played in Bridgetown, Barbados, in Hyderabad, India, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Cricket fans watch the live coverage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final match between India and South Africa being played in Bridgetown, Barbados, in Hyderabad, India, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Cricket fans watch the live coverage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final match between India and South Africa being played at Bridgetown, Barbados, in Ahmedabad, India, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
Cricket fans cheer while watching a broadcast of the ICC T20 World Cup final match between India and South Africa in Barbados, in Hyderabad, India, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)
Cricket fans cheer as they watch the live coverage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final match between India and South Africa being played at Bridgetown, Barbados in Mumbai, India, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
India’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final cricket match against South Africa at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
India’s Virat Kohli celebrates after their win against South Africa in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final cricket match at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)
Cricket fans throng the streets to celebrate India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final match against South Africa played at Barbados, in Ahmedabad, India, Sunday, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
Cricket fans light fireworks to celebrate in Lucknow, capital of northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, India, Sunday, June 30, 2024, after India defeated South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup final match in Barbados. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
Cricket fans cheer while watching the live coverage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final match between India and South Africa being played at Bridgetown, Barbados in Mumbai, India, Saturday, June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Cricket fans throng on streets to celebrate after India won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final match against South Africa played at Barbados, in Ahmedabad, India, Sunday, June 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
Cricket fans celebrate after India wins the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final match against South Africa played at Barbados, in a shopping mall in Lucknow, India, Saturday June 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
Cricket fans celebrate in Mumbai, India, Saturday, June 29, 2024, after India defeated South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup final match in Barbados. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Cricket fans celebrate by lighting firecrackers in Lucknow, capital of northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, India, Sunday, June 30, 2024, after India defeated South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup final match in Barbados. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
Cricket fans celebrate in Lucknow, capital of northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, India, Sunday, June 30, 2024, after India defeated South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup final match in Barbados. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh)
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Publish date : 2024-06-30 11:34:00
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