South Africas wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock seized the opportunity arising from Axar Patels lapse in attention to deliver a breathtaking direct hit from afar during the thrilling 2024 T20 World Cup final. Tragically the allrounder fell short of the crease resulting in his departure after scoring a pivotal 47 runs at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday June 29.
Virat Kohli and Axar Patel’s combination propelled Team India’s middle overs performance. The all-rounder had to be the aggressor, as Kohli anchored the innings from the other end.
After the drinks break, the left-handed batter switched gears, hitting a beautiful six off Kagiso Rabada to start the 14th over of the innings. Kohli missed a delivery on his own body with the third ball of the over. The ball dropped down to Quinton de Kock, and Axar Patel made it halfway down the pitch, hoping to steal a quick single.
However, the veteran wicketkeeper quickly collected the ball and flung it with his weak hand to the vacant non-striker’s end. Quinton de Kock only had the stumps to shoot at because Rabada was wide outside the crease during his follow-through.
Axar Patel was caught off guard by the wicketkeeper’s toss and lingered in no man’s land before returning to the crease. The direct strike was accurate since Axar’s dragged bat was much shorter.
Take a look at the great fielding right here:
Axar Patel’s key knock contained one boundary and four sixes, with a strike rate of 151.61.
Team India trying to finish on a high in the death overs after Axar Patel’s departure
The Men in Blue were reduced to 106/4 in the 14th over as Axar Patel left for the pavilion. Shivam Dube was the next guy in, and they desperately needed a final push to increase the score.
As of writing, India is at 134/4 after 17 overs, with Virat Kohli scoring his first fifty of the tournament. With spin out of the way, the Proteas will go on the Indian attack with their pacers.
