Axar Patel's heroics at crucial juncture ignite social media praise in T20 World Cup 2024 final

In the highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, Axar Patel emerged as a key player for India. The tournament, held in the USA and the West Indies, provided fans and cricket pundits with a thrilling mix of drama, excitement, and a few controversies.

After winning the toss, Indian captain Rohit Sharma opted to bat first. However, India's innings began on a shaky note with the swift loss of Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav during the powerplay. The early setbacks left India struggling.

Amidst the faltering start, Virat Kohli and Axar Patel formed a resilient partnership, taking India to 75/3 at the 10-over mark. Patel's knock was crucial, but his innings came to an unfortunate end in the 14th over.

The decisive moment occurred when Kagiso Rabada delivered a full-length ball to Kohli, who missed the shot, allowing the ball to deflect off his thigh pad and roll towards South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. Seizing the opportunity, de Kock quickly collected the ball and threw it to the non-striker's end.?

A miscommunication between Kohli and Axar led to Axar’s downfall. Initially calling for a single, Kohli then revoked the call, urging Axar to return to his crease. However, Axar's sluggish response and de Kock's precise throw struck the stumps, resulting in Axar's run-out.

Amusingly, the ball continued to the boundary ropes after hitting the stumps. De Kock celebrated immediately, and the third umpire confirmed the dismissal.?

The giant screen flashed 'Out,' sending Axar back to the pavilion after a vital 47-run knock off 31 balls. This dismissal triggered a frenzy on social media, with netizens praising Axar for his impactful performance.

Here are some of the reactions:

?Talking about the match, Kohli's stellar performance with a score of 76 helped India post a formidable total of 174/7, marking the highest team total in the history of T20 World Cup finals against South Africa at the Kensington Oval.?

Earlier, Keshav Maharaj claimed crucial wickets of Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant, while Kagiso Rabada dismissed Suryakumar Yadav, leaving India struggling in the powerplay. Despite these challenges, Axar Patel's impressive 47 and Kohli's steady innings anchored India's total.

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