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    USA's Sparkling Debut, Afghanistan's Dream Run, and India's Brilliance
USA's Sparkling Debut, Afghanistan's Dream Run, and India's Brilliance
T20 World Cup. Source: icc-cricket.com

USA's Sparkling Debut, Afghanistan's Dream Run, and India's Brilliance

The curtains closed on arguably the most exhilarating T20 World Cup with India's magnificent triumph over South Africa in a pulsating final. The tournament twisted this way and that till the very end, with India strengthening their position as one of the true behemoths of the modern game. Other teams, with their high standard of cricket, also contributed handsomely, making it an unforgettable tournament.

Here are some significant moments from the past few weeks to reminisce about:

1) USA Shock Pakistan

First-timers USA, co-hosting the show-piece with the West Indies, caused a flutter when they stunned former champions Pakistan in a Super Over in Dallas during the first week of the tournament. A boundary off the final ball of USA's run-chase sent the match to a Super Over, and the co-hosts came out on top at the Grand Prairie Stadium, pulling off one of the all-time great upsets.

2) India Prevails Over Arch-Rivals Pakistan on Tricky Pitch

On a tricky New York pitch that offered plenty of assistance to fast bowlers, India was asked to bat first by Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and was bowled out for 119 in 19 overs after a collapse. In reply, Pakistan were cruising at one stage but succumbed to incredible death bowling from Jasprit Bumrah, losing the match by six runs. India captain Rohit Sharma kept a couple of Bumrah overs for the back end, which proved decisive.

3) India-US Group Game

The tacky pitch at New York's Nassau County International Cricket Stadium continued to be debated as India locked horns with the USA. USA were bowled out for 110 after Arshdeep Singh (4/9) registered his best bowling figures in T20I cricket. In the chase, India wobbled, losing big guns Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant with just 39 runs on the board. Suryakumar Yadav's calculated half-century helped India overcome anxious moments and complete the chase.

4) Afghanistan Enters Semifinals for the First Time

Afghanistan qualified for the semi-finals of a World Cup for the first time by beating Bangladesh by eight runs in a tense, low-scoring showdown in St Vincent. The highlight of their campaign was the stunning win over heavyweights Australia in their penultimate Super Eights game, with Rashid Khan playing a crucial role.

5) Rohit Goes Ballistic Against Australia

India captain Rohit Sharma produced a brutal assault on the Australian bowlers during a 41-ball 92, leading India to a convincing victory and securing their spot in the semifinals. This hammering left Mitchell Marsh's men dependent on the result of the Afghanistan-Bangladesh match, which did not go their way.

6) Afghanistan's 56 All Out Against South Africa

In the semifinal against South Africa's high-quality pace bowling, Afghanistan were skittled for 56, ending their giant-slaying run in the tournament on a rather forgettable note.

7) Kuldeep-Axar Duo Bamboozle England

After contributions from Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya with the bat, the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel bamboozled the English batters. This extraordinary bowling paved the way for India's crushing win over the defending champions and their entry into their third ICC tournament final in the last 12 months.

8) Kohli Finally Among Runs

Virat Kohli regained his touch when it mattered the most in the final against a quality South African attack. His 59-ball 76 lifted his team from a precarious position and laid the foundation for a defendable total, leading to India's triumph at Kensington Oval.

9) Surya's Blinder of a Catch

Suryakumar Yadav's astonishing catch was crucial in India's victory. Needing 16 runs from the final over, David Miller hit a wide full toss from Hardik Pandya, but Suryakumar steadied himself on the ropes, caught the ball, released it just as he went over the boundary ropes, and then came back in to complete the catch, reminiscent of Kapil Dev's catch in 1983 or Jonty Rhodes' blinder in 1996.

10) Kohli and Rohit's T20I Retirement

Barely an hour after the epic triumph, captain Rohit Sharma joined his long-time teammate Virat Kohli in announcing his retirement from international T20 matches. This marked the fitting end to two glorious careers that ran parallel for the last 15 years, celebrated amid the euphoria of India's title triumph.

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