South Africa batter David Miller was left disappointed after his side were unable to win the T20 World Cup 2024 final against India on Saturday in Barbados.
The Proteas had one hand on the trophy but exceptional bowling by Indian bowlers in the last five overs stopped South Africa from getting over the line.
“I am gutted!! Really tough pill to swallow after what transpired 2 days ago. Words don't explain how I am feeling. One thing I do know is how proud I am of this unit. This journey was an incredible one, with highs and lows throughout the entire month. We have endured pain, but I know this team has the resilience and will keep raising the bar,” Miller wrote on his Instagram story.
India won the T20 World Cup 2024 after beating South Africa by seven runs in one of the most thrilling finals of all time at the Kensington Oval.
India joined England and the West Indies to win the T20 World Cup title two times as they won their first in 2007 by beating Pakistan in the final.
The defeat was almost a certainty for India but Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya turned the tide for Rohit Sharma’s side in the 16th and 17th over.
Chasing the target, the Proteas had a difficult start as they lost two wickets, Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram, but Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs’ 68-run partnership put South Africa back in the driving seat.
South Africa had everything in their hands as Heinrich Klaasen took Axar Patel to the cleaners and smashed him for 22 runs in the 15th over. The Proteas looked the clear favourites to win the clash but things were taken from them in the last few overs by India’s never-give-up attitude.
Pandya removed Klaasen on 52 runs which started South Africa’s troubles. The Proteas required 16 runs in the last over and David Miller was removed by Pandya on the first ball of the final over with Suryakumar Yadav taking one of the best catches of the tournament.
The Proteas concluded their innings at 169-8 in the allocated overs. For India, Pandya bagged three, Arshdeep and Bumrah picked two and Patel got one wicket to his name.
Earlier in the first innings, Virat Kohli top-scored for the Indian team as he scored 76 runs on 59 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes. India posted 176-7 in 20 overs while batting first.