NEW DELHI: Fans in blue India jerseys shed tears of joy and danced on tabletops at a sports bar in New Delhi on Saturday as Rohit Sharma’s team edged South Africa to win the T20 World Cup and end a global title drought.
India won a thrilling final by seven runs in Barbados to clinch their first major title since the 2013 Champions Trophy.
India last won a World Cup in 2011 at home under M.S. Dhoni, who earlier led the team to a T20 World Cup trophy in the inaugural edition in 2007.
Star batsman Virat Kohli played a knock for the ages in his 59-ball 76 to guide India to 176-7, a total their bowlers defended by restricting the Proteas to 169-8.
“It’s an out-of-the-world feeling,” Abhishek Bhagat, a 34-year-old software professional on a visit to Delhi from Belgium, told AFP outside the sports bar.
“I experienced it as a child in 2007 and then again in 2011 and now again in 2024. It’s been a long, long wait and I can’t tell you how much fun we will have.”
Kohli, 35, announced his retirement from international T20 matches in his man-of-the-match speech, and Bhagat said: “King Kohli is a player who performs when it matters.”
Another fan, Rajneesh Duggal said: “It’s a proud moment for every Indian. It is a fitting finale for outgoing coach Rahul Dravid and for Kohli. Hope Rohit stays on.”
Hundreds of fans took to the streets and drove past the iconic India Gate shouting “Long live, India” slogans from their cars and bikes.
India have faltered in the knockout stages of International Cricket Council (ICC) events, despite being ranked number one in both T20s and one-day internationals (ODIs) and number two in Tests.
Rohit and his team came agonizingly close to winning the one-day ICC World Cup at home last year but lost to Australia in the final at the world’s biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.
But the team held their nerves in a close final, and pace bowler Hardik Pandya kept calm to defend 16 runs off the last over.
South Africa, who played their first-ever World Cup final, looked set for the target when they needed 30 from the last five overs but Indian bowlers put the choke on.
Emotional scenes followed as fans hugged each other at the sports bar, danced on tabletops and ran out to celebrate on the streets at midnight.
News channels repeatedly showed images Saturday of fans holding Hindu fire rituals to urge the gods to take the team to victory over South Africa.
Some featured pictures bedecked with flower garlands of Rohit, who has hit three half-centuries in the tournament, holding the World Cup trophy.
India knocked out defending champions England in the semifinal in Guyana and remained unbeaten in the tournament.
The World Cup could be the last for the 37-year-old Rohit as the next edition in the shortest international format would be in 2026.
Rohit was part of India’s T20 World Cup triumph in the inaugural edition in 2007, while Kohli won the ODI prize under Dhoni in 2011.
That was India’s previous World Cup triumph, when Dhoni lifted the trophy at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium and the country erupted in joy.
Two years later, Dhoni’s team beat hosts England in the 50-over Champions Trophy final but fans had to wait for 11 years for another major title.
India lost in the semifinals of the 2019 ODI World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup, before last year’s ODI final defeat again left fans heartbroken.

GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany: England manager Gareth Southgate is confident his side will embrace the pressure of the knockout stages at Euro 2024 after failing to fire in their three group games.
The Three Lions face Slovakia in the last 16 on Sunday with expectation even further ramped up as they find themselves on what is perceived to be the easier side of the draw.
England topped Group C despite underwhelming displays from one of the pre-tournament favorites as they beat Serbia 1-0 and drew with Denmark and Slovenia.
But Southgate’s side have put disappointing performances in the group stage behind them before when reaching the Euro 2020 final and semifinals of the 2018 World Cup.
“Now you’re into that world of it has to happen on the day, you’ve got to go for it. We’ve been here before, many times, we know what it entails,” said Southgate at his pre-match press conference.
“The fact is you go into a different mental state. Everybody knows that knockout football is jeopardy.
“Everybody knows that on a given day an opponent can make it really tough for you. You know the quality of the opposition left is high, so it changes the mindset.
“It’s about how far can we go. We’re trying to achieve something exceptional, but it’s a step at a time and tomorrow is a chance to improve aspects of our game.”
Southgate’s future appears in doubt no matter the outcome in Germany.
Despite reaching a final, semifinal and quarter-final in his three major tournaments in charge, the former Middlesbrough boss still has plenty of critics back home.
He was pelted by beer cups thrown from the stands as some fans voiced their frustrations following a 0-0 draw against Slovenia on Tuesday.
Southgate, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the year, will manage England for the 99th time against Slovakia.
But he played down the importance of his future and potentially reaching a century of games in charge should England progress to a quarter-final against Switzerland.
“I’m just desperate to do well for my country. Lead this group of players and staff, who I absolutely love working with and think so much of,” added Southgate.
“Lead them through what could be another brilliant night and create some more memories for our supporters.”
England have a clean bill of health but Luke Shaw is not fit to start as he has not played a minute for club or country since February.
Kobbie Mainoo is expected to replace Conor Gallagher in midfield, while wingers Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer are in contention to start should Southgate shuffle his misfiring frontline.