By B. Limbu

Pune: ROHIT Sharma-led India today defeated South Africa to lift the T20 World Cup, thereby breaking a jinx of losing consecutive finals. India won by seven runs.

Led by rearguard action by maestro Virat Kohli, India first posted fighting total of 177.

Kohli was ably supported by Axar Patel. While Kohli made 76, Patel made 47. Both stood rock solid for the team at a time when others crumbled.

South Africa began their innings on disastrous note, losing two quick wickets. But it was Klassan who turned the fortunes around when he smashed 24 runs of one Axar Patel.

It looked like South Africa were on way to break their historic jinx of losing during final or semi-final matches.

But that was not to be as first Jaspreet Bumrah and then, Hardik Pandya put their best first forward to send South Africa packing.

''God is great...I bow my head in gratitude,'' said Virat Kohli during post-match conversation.

Virat said it was his last T20 World Cup. ''It is time for new generation to take over...I have no doubt the new generation will keep India's flying high,'' he said.

''It's been a long wait for him. It was same for Rohit Sharma...We are happy that we got the job done. It was hard express what I was feeling...,'' Virat said.

''I think it is going to sink in later...It is an amazing day,'' Virat signed off.

''I am over the moon...My family is here, my son is here...I am the one who tries to keep my focus in tact...I usually don't cry...It is an unreal feeling,'' said Bumrah the man of the match.