India’s final ICC title drought among the top 5 moments of the 2024 T20 World Cup
2024 T20 World Cup was a tournament that captivated cricket enthusiasts worldwide, showcasing a perfect blend of nail-biting matches, unexpected upsets, and record-breaking performances. Hosted jointly by the West Indies and the USA, this edition of the global cricketing extravaganza was a true testament to the sport’s ever-growing popularity and the resilience of the participating teams.
#5 USA’s Stunning Upset Over Pakistan
One of the standout moments of the 2024 T20 World Cup was the remarkable victory of debutants and co-hosts USA over the mighty Pakistan. In a Group A fixture at Dallas, the USA put up a spirited display with the ball, restricting the formidable Pakistani batting lineup to a modest 159/7. Nosthush Kenjige and Saurabh Netravalkar were the architects of this impressive bowling performance, sharing five wickets between them.
As the game went down to the wire, the USA managed to level the scores, thanks to a gritty half-century from skipper Monank Patel. In a scintillating super over, the USA emerged victorious, with Netravalkar delivering a magnificent over to seal a historic triumph over the 2021 T20 World Cup champions.
#4 The Controversy Surrounding Gulbadin Naib’s ‘Injury’
The knockout clash between Afghanistan and Bangladesh was further fueled by a controversial incident involving Afghanistan all-rounder Gulbadin Naib. With rain causing interruptions and Afghanistan ahead by two runs on the DLS method in the 12th over of Bangladesh’s chase, Naib dramatically fell to the ground, clutching his hamstring.
The timing of this apparent injury, coupled with Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott’s signaling to the players to slow the game down, raised eyebrows. Interestingly, Naib was able to bowl and pick up a wicket after the short break due to rain. While Afghanistan went on to win the game, Naib’s actions were widely criticized as an attempt to gain an unfair advantage for his team.
#3 Pat Cummins’ Double Hat-Trick Surge
The 2024 T20 World Cup witnessed a remarkable feat by Australian pacer Pat Cummins, who achieved the rare distinction of recording successive hat-tricks in the tournament. On June 20, Cummins claimed the first hat-trick of the event, dismissing Mahmudullah, Mahedi Hasan, and Towhid Hridoy in consecutive deliveries to help Australia restrict Bangladesh to 140/8.
Just two days later, Cummins repeated his heroics, this time against Afghanistan at Kingstown. However, his impressive performance was not enough to secure a victory for Australia, as they ultimately lost the match. Nonetheless, Cummins’ achievement made him only the second Australian, after Brett Lee, to claim a hat-trick in a T20 World Cup. Moreover, he became the only cricketer from a Test-playing nation to record successive hat-tricks in the tournament.
#2 Afghanistan’s Historic Semifinal Qualification and the Downfall of Australia
With a burning desire to avenge their heartbreaking defeat against Australia at the 2023 World Cup, a determined Afghanistan team achieved a historic victory over the defending champions on June 22 at Kingstown. Led by impressive half-centuries from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 148/6 after electing to bat first.
The Afghan bowlers, led by the impressive duo of Naveen-ul-Haq and Gulbadin Naib, then put up a stunning display to restrict Australia to 127, securing a remarkable 21-run triumph. This victory, coupled with their thrilling win over Bangladesh, ensured that Afghanistan qualified for the semifinals of the 2024 T20 World Cup, a remarkable achievement for the cricket-loving nation.
#1 India’s Long-Awaited ICC Title Triumph
For years, India had come agonizingly close to lifting an ICC trophy, only to fall short on the final hurdle. However, the 2024 T20 World Cup marked the end of their 11-year drought as they emerged victorious in the final against South Africa at Bridgetown.
Batting first, India posted a healthy total of 176/7, thanks to crucial contributions from Virat Kohli, Axar Patel, and Shivam Dube. Despite South Africa’s strong response, the Indian bowlers staged a terrific comeback in the final stages, defending 30 runs off the last five overs to secure a thrilling seven-run victory.
This triumph not only brought joy to the millions of Indian fans worldwide but also cemented the team’s status as a dominant force in the shortest format of the game. After numerous heartbreaks, Rohit Sharma and his men finally got their hands on the coveted ICC trophy, ending an 11-year drought and solidifying their legacy as one of the greatest T20 teams of their era.
Conclusion
The 2024 T20 World Cup will be remembered for its captivating moments, unexpected twists, and historic achievements. From the USA’s stunning upset over Pakistan to Pat Cummins’ record-breaking exploits, and from Afghanistan’s remarkable semifinal qualification to India’s long-awaited ICC title triumph, this tournament truly had it all.
As the dust settles on this cricketing extravaganza, fans and experts alike will continue to reminisce about the unforgettable experiences that unfolded on the field. The 2024 T20 World Cup has undoubtedly cemented its place in the annals of cricket history, setting the stage for even more thrilling encounters in the years to come.
