India held their nerve to deny South Africa in a thrilling conclusion to the T20 World Cup as Suryakumar Yadav produced a moment of pure magic in the final over.
With David Miller seemingly set to hit a six which would swing the pendulum back in South Africa's favour, Yadav was able to catch the ball with millimetres separating him from the boundary rope, toss it back in field and return to collect it.
Given the moment, it must rank as one of the finest catches in cricket's long history and left South Africa needing 16 from five balls with two bowlers at the crease.
Kagiso Rabada hit a thick edge for four to keep their hopes alive but India were able to complete the comeback and win by seven runs, having been in a desperate position with four overs remaining.
Heinrich Klaasen had appeared set to blast his side to a hoodoo-breaking victory with 52 from 26 which helped get South Africa's required rate down to just a run a ball, but after a short break in play he threw his bat at a wide one and with that edge the entire match turned on its head.
India still had work to do with three overs remaining but turned to Jasprit Bumrah, who found the wicket that had been asked of him and conceded just two runs to boot to put his side back in the ascendancy.
From there, South African hopes were pinned on Miller, on strike with 16 required from the final over, but the first ball of it effectively ended the contest in the most dramatic of ways as Suryakumar produced the catch of a lifetime.
It was especially cruel for one side, South Africa falling short in an ICC competition yet again, their tears contrasting with those of relief and joy from India as a stop-start World Cup ended with a bang.
Kohli bows out on a high
"This was my last T20 World Cup," said man of the match Virat Kohli, whose classy 76 had helped India set a challenging total. "This is exactly what we wanted to achieve.
"I'm just really grateful I was able to get the job done for the team on the day that it mattered the most.
"It was now or never, this is my last T20 game playing for India, so I wanted to make the most of it. This was our aim. We wanted to win an ICC tournament. It was the occasion that helped me to put my head down and just respect the situation rather than try to force things out there.
"(His retirement from T20 internationals) was an open secret! This was going to be my last T20 World Cup, it's time for the next generation to take over.
"It's been a long wait for us, and it's not just me alone. Rohit has played nine T20 World Cups, this is my sixth. We're just happy we were able to get the job done."
Bumrah, who was named player of the tournament, said: "Today I don't have a lot of words, the emotions are taking over. I usually don't cry after a game but this feels really special. To pull off a win like this is an unreal feeling."
