2024 T20 World Cup Finals | History and heartbreak beckon as T20 extravaganza reaches long-awaited climax

India has not won an ICC title since 2013. South Africa has reached the final of a men’s World Cup for the first time after seven semi-final defeats.

A curse will be broken on Saturday during the grand final of the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Kensington Oval. This is a battle between the two unbeaten teams in the tournament.

India, having overcome all the challenges of variable conditions and quality opposition, will believe that a second T20 World Cup trophy is within their grasp.

The team has seen off stiff competition from Pakistan, Australia and England. From the low-scoring games in New York to the wind-swept performance in St Lucia, India has found a way to get the job done.

As the campaign has progressed, new heroes have emerged. In the Super 8 stage against Bangladesh, Hardik Pandya shifted the bat into top gear to remain as the top player. Captain Rohit Sharma came alive by firing Australia all over the park, and followed with a fine 57 against England in the semi-final.

Kuldeep Yadav, drafted into the XI when the side moved from the US to the West Indies, has been among the wickets. And then there is Jasprit Bumrah, who has been unplayable from start to finish.

Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant are the other proven players, who give the unit an invincible look.

Rohit’s diktat of not taking a step back and attacking even when on the back foot has instilled the right mentality in the players.

India also have the added advantage of having played one match at the venue, a 47-run win over Afghanistan. This will be South Africa’s first match on the island.

The Proteas have had a few close shaves on this trip. Not least the unmissable West Indies outing in the Super 8, which went all the way.

South Africa has the goods to tackle India’s three-man spin attack. Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs can cut loose when the slow bowlers come on – a strength most other teams lacked.

Like India, South Africa boast gun players at most positions. Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje offer pure pace, while Marco Jansen can trouble the Indian batters with extra bounce. Quinton de Kock has been firing at the top of the order, while Tabraiz Shamsi is good with his left-arm wrist spin.

On paper, there is little to choose between the teams. It may come down to mental readiness and staying calm under the pump.

There is a chance that rain could cause a delay. The final has a reserve day, with an additional 190 minutes available on Saturday to extend the playing time. The millions of viewers will be praying for a full and cracking match.

The teams (of):

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottniel Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi and Tristan Stubbs.

Referees: Christopher Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth; TV Referee: Richard Kettleborough; Fourth referee: Rod Tucker; Referee of the match: Richie Richardson.