Three KEY moments that lost the Proteas the FINAL

Despite a spirited performance in the T20 World Cup final, the Proteas ultimately lost to India by seven runs.

Playing in their first-ever World Cup final, Proteas managed to hold their own against a star-studded Indian side. Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first, and that proved to be the correct call as India put in a challenging score of 176.

In response, the Proteas got off to a bad start after losing Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks early in the final. Quinton de Kock played a wonderful knock to stabilise the innings and he along with Tristan Stubbs and later Heinrich Klaasen got South Africa back in the game.

Proteas lose their first final

The wicket of Klaasen changed the momentum of the match which ultimately saw India winning the final. We look at some of the key moments that changed the match

Klaasen’s wicket

At one point, the Proteas look certain to win the final. With Klaasen and David Miller on the crease, South Africa needed 30 from 30 balls with six wickets in hand. Hardik Pandya was introduced in the 16th over and got Klaasen off the first ball. His wicket slowed down the momentum somewhat but with Miller still in, SA still had a chance

Jasprit Bumrah’s last over

Bumrah was unplayable on the night and even Klaasen failed to get a boundary off him. Miller, who had played well at that point, scored a single to leave new man Marco Jansen on strike against the deadly bowler. The tall Proteas all-rounder could do nothing as Bumrah got his second wicket of the day.

Miller’s catch

After Jansen’s wicket, the final was back in India’s hands as the Proteas struggled against Arshdeep Signh. With 16 needed in the final over, Miller attempted to clear Pandya but the left-hander was caught brilliantly by Suryakumar Yadav. Unfortunately, the damage was done despite Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada trying their best to win the final for the Proteas in the final five balls.