Varma’s wait for a return to India colours eventually ended in the ongoing series against South Africa, when he started off at No.4 with 33 off 18 balls in the first T20I in Durban but managed only a run-a-ball 20 in Gqeberha.
With only 125 runs to defend against a power-packed Proteas batting lineup, India weren’t the favourites when South Africa began their chase on Sunday. But the visitors shifted the momentum in their favour as Varun came into the attack.
South Africa were on course for a win in what was their first ever appearance in a World Cup final till the 15th over when Axar Patel was milked for 22 runs, leaving the equation down to 30 required from the final five overs.
“This was my last T20 World Cup, and this is what we wanted to achieve. One day you feel you can't get a run, then things happen. God is great, and I got the job done for the team on the day it mattered,” Kohli said.
Tears of joy rolled down the cheeks of the Indian players as the celebrations sparked off with hugs from the teammates..
Reflecting in his own achievements as a key member of the West Indies side to lift the trophy in 2012 and 2016, the destructive former opening batter shed light on the euphoria of final wins over Sri Lanka and England, respectively.
India have stumbled at the last hurdle in their two most recent appearances in ICC finals, having tasted defeat to Australia in both last year’s ICC World Test Championship final in London and the ICC men’s 50-over World Cup final in Ahmedabad.
There are high chances of rain on Saturday but the ICC has kept a reserve day for the T20 WC final
IND vs SA, World Cup 2023: It was a packed-house in Kolkata as India posted a big 326-run total on board, thanks to Virat Kohli's record equaling 49th ton and Shreyas Iyer's 77 off 87 balls.
The toss and match time for the first ODI between India and South Africa has been pushed by half an hour due to rain.
