Indian Cricket. (Source – Getty Images)
India took on South Africa in the Final of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on June 29. India won the toss and opted to bat first. Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant got out cheaply scoring 9 and zero runs respectively. Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav started building the innings and SKY departed for just three runs. India were reeling at 34 for 3 and Axar Patel joined Kohli in the middle of the fifth over.
The duo put up a much-needed partnership of 72 runs for the third wicket. Axar walked back after scoring 47 off 31 at a strike rate of 151.61. Shivam Dube who desperately needed to take the monkey out of his much like Kohli, kept rotating the strike well as the latter struggled to time the ball. The duo managed to stitch a crucial 57-run stand as India reached above the par score of 160. Kohli departed after coming from behind innings scoring 76 off 59 balls.
India manage defendable score on relatively good batting surface
Dube took the onus on himself and hit timely boundaries and trudged back scoring an important 27 off 16. With two balls remaining when Dube was dismissed, Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya had very little to offer, though Pandya began his innings with a big edge that crossed the boundary rope behind the keeper. India huffed and puffed their way to 176 for 7. This is the highest-ever target in a T20 World Cup final. On paper, the score looks defendable but with the batting arsenal South Africa possesses, India have to bowl out of their skin.
“I was just trying to use the surface, use the breeze and luckily it paid off. The pitch started off slow, it has got better now and hopefully it will be good to chase. The catching and outfielding was good, it’s something we pride ourselves on. We can do it, opportunities like this don’t come often and the boys are ready to go. Hope we can grab it with both hands,” said South Africa spinner, Keshav Maharaj after first innings.
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to IND’s batting against SA in Final:
It’s a high percentage that points more to defeat more than a win when a team loses three wickets in the Powerplay.
India are treading precariously in the @T20WorldCup Final v @ProteasMenCSA— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) June 29, 2024
Good Luck to 🇮🇳 and to the man for the big occasions #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/iizK55JJT4
— Riyan Paragg (@ParagRiyan) June 29, 2024
Axar patel, India’s all purpose player
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) June 29, 2024
Axar Patel mama! Hold your head up, this could be trophy defining👌👌 #T20WorldCup2024
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) June 29, 2024
Don’t mess with QDK’s arm!
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) June 29, 2024
As I said earlier, a @imVkohli special was brewing for tonight!! Vintage Kohli rising up in the big game providing stability to the team and ticking the runs on the board. Time to accelerate now 🔥
— Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) June 29, 2024
Come on 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/KpWEMzGJIe
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) June 29, 2024
Blinder by Axar Patel but you gotta give it to Rahul dravid & the management to taking such a huge call to send him after india were 3 down,in trouble , big final , under pressure . He’s done his job , could very well be a match winning innings . #INDvSA #INDvsSAFinal…
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) June 29, 2024
What a come back team India @BCCI
Big match big innings
Always love to watch @imVkohli #WorldCup #INDvSA #Final— Umar Akmal (@Umar96Akmal) June 29, 2024
Always the KINGGGGG
well done @imVkohli
👏👏👏👏👏#INDvSA #T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter
— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 29, 2024
Cometh the hour….Cometh The Kohli.
Well played 👏👏#IndvSA #WorldCupFinal
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) June 29, 2024
Masterful innings from @imVkohli and India heading towards a total that @nassercricket reckons should be enough – 170 plus – with @hardikpandya7 to come.
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) June 29, 2024