New Delhi: The legendary MS Dhoni watched with his friends as India defeated South Africa by 7 runs in a nerve-wracking final to lift the T20 World Cup 2024 title in Barbados earlier this year. Dhoni recently shared his experience of watching the epic final and revealed how his friends had nearly given up on India’s chances during the later stages of South Africa’s run-chase.
In their pursuit of the 177-run target, South Africa cruised at 151/4 at the end of the 16th, with David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen in the middle. The Proteas needed only 26 to win off the last 4 overs when Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah combined to pull things back in style. The duo went on to concede only 6 runs in the next two overs and picked up a wicket each to bring India back into the game.
Hardik then went on to defend 16 runs in the final over successfully as India clinched the summit clash by 7 runs. Recalling watching the final, Dhoni revealed while his friends didn’t want to watch after South Africa had gained control in the final, he never gave up and told them “It’s not over until it’s over”.
“We were at home; some friends had come over. The way the second innings was going, zyada tar dost bahar chale gaye the (most of them went out). They said to me, it is done, come join us outside. I said to them that in cricket, it is not over until it is over. None of them believed, even I was questioning but on the inside, I was asking abhi kya hona chahiye (what is supposed to happen now),” Dhoni said at a promotional event of the Rigi app.
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