India won the T20 World Cup title with a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in a classic final at Kensington Oval on Saturday.

Virat Kohli’s 76 had led India to a strong 176-7 but after Heinrich Klaasen blasted a superb 52 from 27 balls South Africa were closing in on victory only to be halted by some outstanding Indian bowling at the end.

South Africa ended on 169-8 with Hardik Pandya taking 3-20 for India. Chasing the target, the Proteas had a difficult as they lost two wickets, Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram, but Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs’ 68-run partnership put South Africa back in the driving seat.

South Africa had everything in their hands as Heinrich Klaasen took Axar Patel to the cleaners and smashed him for 22 runs in the 15th over. The Proteas looked the clear favourites to win the clash but things were taken from them in the last few overs by India’s never-give-up attitude.

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Pandya removed Klaasen on 52 runs which started South Africa’s troubles. The Proteas required 16 runs in the last over and David Miller was removed by Pandya on the first ball of the final over with Suryakumar Yadav taking one of the best matches of the tournament.

South Africa ended on 169-8 with Hardik Pandya taking 3-20 for India to the delight of the huge Indian following at the stadium. Kohli had struggled in the tournament but he delivered his best innings at the perfect moment with his balanced batting. It was just what was needed for India who had slipped to 34 for three after their captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat.

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In what has been a low-scoring tournament, the total looked to be a daunting one for South Africa but then Quinton de Kock (39) and Tristan Stubbs (31) set the Proteeas on their way before Klaasen turned the game in their direction in the 15th over, smashing Axar Patel for 24 including two fours and two sixes.

When Klaasen was finally removed, caught behind off Hardik Pandya, the Proteas needed just 26 off the last 23 balls.

Knowing they had to take the initiative, Rohit turned early for Jasprit Bumrah's final over and he answered the skipper's call perfectly, bowling Marco Jansen and conceding just two runs in the 18th over.

That meant South Africa needed 20 from the final two overs and Arshdeep Singh bowled a superb length to allow just four.

With 16 to win off the last over, Pandya bowled a full-toss at Miller who smashed it high straight down the ground but Suryakumar Yadav produced a breath-taking catch on the boundary, throwing the ball back into play before he crossed the ropes and then returning to complete the catch.

Kagiso Rabada came in and edged a four and Pandya showed some nerves with a wide but the seamer kept his cool to ensure silverware for India after they lost in last year's 50 Over World Cup on home soil.

The Proteas concluded their innings at 169-8 in the allocated overs. For India, Pandya bagged three, Arshdeep and Bumrah picked two and Patel got one wicket to his name.

Kohli and Axar powered India to post 176 runs after losing seven wickets. Virat Kohli top-scored for the Indian team by scoring 76 runs on 59 balls with the help of six fours and two sixes.

India had won the toss and chosen to bat first at the Kensington Oval. India was rattled early with South Africa sending back Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav.

It looked like an early collapse for Sharma’s side but a 72-run partnership between Kohli and Axar Patel brought the much-needed breakthrough for them. Patel was hitting sixes and leading the charge against the Proteas but he uncertainly lost his wicket as Quinton de Kock ran him out for 47 runs.

Kohli continued to attack and soon completed his half-century on 48 balls, which was the slowest in T20Is. However, right after his 50, the 35-year-old accelerated innings and lost his wicket to Jesnen.

Shivam Dube contributed a valuable 27 runs on 16 balls. For Africa, Maharaj and Anrich Nortje picked two wickets each while Rabada and Jensen bagged one each.