Bridgetown (Barbados): India's agonising 11-year wait for a global title was brought to an end by Virat Kohli's ingenuity and Rohit Sharma's inspirational captaincy as the star-studded team outwitted eternal bridesmaids South Africa by runs in a see saw final to lift its second T20 World Cup trophy here on Saturday. Kohli, who was part of 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, announced his retirement from the format immediately after the end of the match. "It's time for the next generation to take over.
It was an open secret and I would have announced it even if we would have lost," Kohli said. Hardik Pandya, booed for being handed IPL captaincy broke down having endured a tough six months and the enduring picture would certainly be the kiss planted on his cheeks by the man, people rooted for -- Rohit Sharma. Captain Sharma, his eyes glistening, was on his haunches as he was emotionally exhausted, wife Ritika, his soulmate, completely emotional as there wasn't a single soul who didn't feel choked.
When Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27 balls) was going hammer and tongs against the in-form Indian spinners, it seemed Rohit Sharma and his men will have to settle for second place in another World Cup final but they clawed their way back into the game with a lot of help from South Africa. Eventually, Hardik Pandya, much maligned by his own supporters for past six months, was able to defend 16 runs in the final over to ensure India's first ICC trophy since 2013 and a maiden T20 World Cup crown in .