India's 2024 T20 World Cup Journey: From Group Stage to Glory

1. Squad Announcement and Kickoff

On April 29, 2024, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA from June 1 to 29. Led by captain Rohit Sharma, the team blended experience with youthful talent.

Backup players included Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and Avesh Khan, adding depth to the squad.

2. Group Stage: Ireland vs India

In New York, India opted to bowl first. Ireland scored 26/2 in the powerplay, with Arshdeep taking 2 wickets. Hardik’s 3 wickets reduced Ireland to 49/7, and they were bundled out for 96. India chased 97, with Rohit Sharma’s 52*(37) and Pant’s 36*(26) in his comeback match, winning by 8 wickets in 12.2 overs. Jasprit Bumrah (3-1-6-2) was named Player of the Match.

3. Group Stage: India vs Pakistan

Pakistan chose to bowl first. India posted 50/2 in the powerplay, with Rohit 13(12) and Kohli 4(3). Axar’s 20(18) and Pant’s 42(31) led the innings, but India was bowled out for 119. Pakistan reached 35/1 in their powerplay, but Bumrah’s 3/14, combined with Axar and Hardik’s efforts, saw India win by 6 runs. Bumrah was again Player of the Match.

4. Group Stage: USA vs India

India bowled first, restricting USA to 18/2 in the powerplay, with Arshdeep’s 4/9. USA scored 110/8. India chased 111, with Suryakumar Yadav’s 50*(49) and a 72-run partnership with Dube, winning by 7 wickets in 18.2 overs. Arshdeep Singh was Player of the Match.

5. Group Stage: Canada vs India

The match was abandoned due to rain, with India topping Group A with 7 points alongside the USA. Pakistan, Canada, and Ireland were eliminated, and India advanced to the Super 8s with Afghanistan, Australia, and Bangladesh.

6. Super 8: India vs Afghanistan

India batted first, scoring 47/1 in the powerplay, with Suryakumar Yadav’s 53(28) and Hardik’s 32(24) leading to 181/8. Afghanistan managed 35/3, with Bumrah and Arshdeep (3/36) sealing a 47-run win. Suryakumar Yadav was Player of the Match.

7. Super 8: India vs Bangladesh

Bangladesh bowled first, but India posted 53/1 in the powerplay, with Rohit 23(11), Kohli 37(28), Pant 36(24), Dube 34(24), and Hardik 50*(27), totaling 196/5. Bangladesh scored 146/8, with Kuldeep Yadav’s three wickets ensuring a 50-run victory. Hardik Pandya was Player of the Match.

8. Super 8: India vs Australia

Australia bowled first, but India’s 60/1 in the powerplay, led by Rohit’s 92(41) and Suryakumar’s 31(16), resulted in 205/5. Australia reached 65/1, but Kuldeep and Bumrah’s efforts, plus Arshdeep’s late wickets, secured a 24-run win. Rohit Sharma was Player of the Match.

9. Semifinal: India vs England

England bowled first, but India’s 46/2 in the powerplay, with Rohit’s 50(36) and Suryakumar’s 47(36), led to 171/7. England collapsed to 39/3, with Axar (3/23) and Kuldeep sealing a 68-run win. Axar Patel was Player of the Match.

10. Final: India vs South Africa

India batted first, scoring 45/3 in the powerplay, with Virat Kohli’s 76(59) and Axar’s 47(31) pushing them to 176/7. South Africa reached 42/2, but Suryakumar Yadav’s stunning catch off Hardik Pandya’s bowling in the final over clinched a 7-run victory. Virat Kohli was Player of the Match, and Jasprit Bumrah was Player of the Series.

Conclusion

India’s unbeaten run to the 2024 T20 World Cup title ended an 11-year ICC trophy drought and a 17-year wait for the T20 crown. The retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20Is added an emotional layer to the triumph. As of June 30, 2025, this achievement continues to inspire the cricket world.