Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket captain, has lavished praise on Axar Patel and Virat Kohli for their crucial roles in India’s thrilling victory over South Africa in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 final. This win marked India’s first ICC T20 World Cup title since 2007 and ended an 11-year wait for a major ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy.
In the high-pressure final held at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, India opted to bat first but faced early setbacks, losing three wickets quickly. Rohit Sharma himself admitted that he was panicking in the dressing room as the team found themselves struggling at 34 for 3 in the powerplay. It was at this critical juncture that Virat Kohli and Axar Patel steadied the innings with a vital partnership that laid the foundation for India’s competitive total of 176 for 7 in their 20 overs.
Virat Kohli played a patient and composed innings, scoring 76 runs off 59 balls, anchoring the innings amid the pressure. Despite a slow strike rate early on, Kohli’s presence at the crease was pivotal in keeping the scoreboard ticking and providing stability. His innings earned him the Player of the Match award and was especially significant as it was his last T20 International before retirement, making the victory even more memorable.
Axar Patel was hailed by Rohit Sharma as the “game-changer” of the final. Patel’s aggressive yet calculated knock of 47 runs off just 31 balls injected momentum into the innings at a time when India needed it most. His counterattacking style complemented Kohli’s anchoring role perfectly, and their 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket was instrumental in turning the tide for India. Rohit emphasized that Axar’s innings motivated the team and the fans alike, helping India post a strong total on a good batting surface.
In addition to the batting heroics, India’s bowling attack played a crucial role in sealing the victory. Jasprit Bumrah’s impact in the death overs was particularly notable. Despite South Africa having the upper hand for much of the chase, Bumrah’s strategic and disciplined bowling, especially in the final overs, turned the game in India’s favor. His ability to deliver yorkers and maintain composure under pressure was a key factor in restricting South Africa to 169 for 8, falling short by seven runs.
Another standout performer was Arshdeep Singh, who finished the tournament as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets. In the final, his calm and effective bowling spell of 2 for 20 was vital in keeping the South African batsmen in check. His contributions throughout the tournament and in the final underscored his emergence as a premier left-arm pacer in India’s white-ball setup.
Rohit Sharma described the T20 World Cup victory as the best moment of his cricketing career, highlighting the meticulous planning and hard work that went into achieving this success. The win was especially sweet after the heartbreak of losing the 2023 ODI World Cup final to Australia. The collective grit, composure, and crucial contributions from players like Kohli, Axar, Bumrah, and Arshdeep culminated in a historic triumph for India.
In summary,
India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory was a team effort with key individual performances. Virat Kohli’s anchoring 76 runs and Axar Patel’s impactful 47 off 31 balls formed the backbone of India’s innings, while Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh’s bowling excellence ensured South Africa fell short in a nail-biting finish. Rohit Sharma’s heartfelt praise for these players reflects their indispensable roles in bringing the coveted trophy back to India after more than a decade