"Happy with the performance of our boys.." Fomer BCCI President Sharad Pawar congratulates team India
Jun 30, 2024
Pune (Maharashtra) [India], June 30 : Nationalist Congress party (NCP-SCP) Chief and Former BCCI President Sharad Pawar on Sunday expressed his delight and congratulated Indian cricket team on their stellar performance in the T20 World Cup.
Beyond his political career, Pawar has been deeply involved in cricket administration. He served as the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 2005 to 2008 and as the President of the International Cricket Council (ICC) from 2010 to 2012. Additionally, he was the President of the Mumbai Cricket Association from October 2013 to January 2017.
"We are happy with the performance of our boys. I congratulate Rahul Dravid and all the players for their dedication and hard work," Pawar said while speaking to ANI.
"Yesterday's match was an excellent one. We have seen a lot of new faces, youngsters are coming forward. So I would like to congratulate all of them because of their performance. I am sure that our boys will give the same performance in other games as well," he added.
The Men in Blue won the T20 World Cup 2024 after beating South Africa by seven runs in Barbados.
Recapping the final match of the tournament, India won the toss and opted to bat first. After being reduced to 34/3, a counter-attacking partnership between Virat (76) and Axar Patel (47 in 31 balls, with one four and four sixes) of 72 runs restored India's position in the game. A 57-run stand between Virat and Shivam Dube (27 in 16 balls, with three fours and a six) took India to 176/7 in their 20 overs.
Keshav Maharaj (2/23) and Anrich Nortje (2/26) were the top bowlers for SA. Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram took a wicket each.
In the run chase of 177 runs, Proteas was reduced to 12/2 and then a 58-run partnership between Quinton de Kock (39 in 31 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Tristan Stubbs (31 in 21 balls, with three fours and a six) brought back SA into the game. A half-century by Heinrich Klaasen (52 in 27 balls, with two fours and five sixes) threatened to take the game away from India. However, Arshdeep Singh (2/18), Jasprit Bumrah (2/20) and Hardik (3/20) made a fine comeback in death overs, keeping SA to 169/8 in their 20 overs.
Virat secured the 'Player of the Match' for his performance. Now, by securing their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013, India has ended their ICC trophy drought.
