T-20 Cricket: A Few Facts and Final Match in 2024

It is believed that cricket was introduced in the late 16th century in England. It became an established sport in the country in the 18th century and developed globally in the 19th and 20th centuries. International matches have been played since the 19th century, and formal Test cricket matches are considered to date from 1877(Wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_cricket). Test matches are played for five days. Later on, to popularise, cricket was introduced as One Day International (ODI) is a form of 50-over. Further to popularise cricket, Twenty20 (T20) was introduced by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in 2003 as the inter-county competition. Further, it has succeeded in spreading around the cricket world. Most international tours have at least one Twenty20 match, and all Test-playing nations have a domestic cup competition.
T20 is such an uncertain game, so unpredictable. Anyway, in 2024, the final match between India and South Africa is being played. It is a wonder that both India and South Africa reached the final undefeated. This was not the case even in previous years; it is not the case anymore.
In 2024 (T-20), South Africa has won all eight matches, and India has won seven out of eight. However, because of incessant rain, the match between India and Canada could not take place, so one -one point was given to each team.
A few particulars of India and South Africa of T-20 of 2024 are presented here for the benefit of readers. As mentioned already, both teams were undefeated. Before the final match, India’s final average run rate per over was 8.32, which was 6.81. The highest score for India was 205, and South Africa’s was 194. Anyway, since the final match is going on (the article was written at 10.20 PM, 29/6/2024) and India scored 176 in 20 overs by losing seven wickets, and unfortunately, Axar Patel’s run out, as I feel was his callousness, probably he thought, “Since cricket is a game of gentlemen so he did not run like a cricketer.”
I am a senior citizen, a former Professor, and a retired employee of an Organisation of the Government of India. During my student days, I played cricket, football, and volleyball at the school level and hockey at the national level, so I am aware of games and sports.
Prof Shankar Chatterjee, Hyderabad.