BARBADOS: Rohit Sharma ended an 11-year International Cricket Council (ICC) trophy drought in the 2024 T20 World Cup by beating South Africa by 724 runs in one of the most thrilling finals on Saturday.
It was India’s first ICC trophy since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013 after defeating England in the final.
India, who won the T20 World Cup, earned $2.45 million from the ICC.
On the other hand, South Africa, who played in their first final and finished second, earned a total of $1.28 million.
Meanwhile, semi-final losers Afghanistan and England received $787,500 each.
Meanwhile, Pakistan earned $247,500 for finishing third in the group despite failing to pass the group stage.
India joined England and the West Indies to win the T20 World Cup twice, defeating Pakistan in the final in 2007.
The loss was a near miss for India, but Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya rallied for Rohit Sharma’s side in the 16th and 17th overs.
Chasing the target, the Proteas got off to a tough start when Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram lost two wickets, but Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs’ 68-run partnership put South Africa in the driving seat.
South Africa had everything in their hands as Heinrich Klaasen took Axar Patel to the cleaners and hit 22 runs in 15.
The Proteas scored 169-8 in the allotted overs. For India, Pandya took three, Arshdeep and Bumrah two and Patel one.
In the first match, Virat Kohli was the top scorer for the Indian team, scoring 76 in 59 balls with six fours and two sixes.
