Sharma Credits Axar Patel's "Game-Changing" Knock for India's T20 World Cup Triumph

Sharma Applauds Patel's Crucial Knock in T20 World Cup Victory

Following India's triumphant win at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, Rohit Sharma has acknowledged the pivotal role played by Axar Patel in their victory against South Africa in the final. Sharma, reflecting on the match, emphasized Patel's significant contribution to the team's success.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma celebrating the victory in the T20 World Cup final over South Africa (Image by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

In a conversation with Star Sports, the Indian captain praised his team's resilience and composure, specifically highlighting Patel's game-changing performance. While acknowledging Virat Kohli's contribution, Sharma pointed to Axar Patel's innings as the turning point in the tense final. India's victory over South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on June 29, 2024, marked the end of an 11-year wait for an ICC title. This win marked their first T20 World Champions title since 2007 and their first ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Batting first in the high-pressure game, India scored 176/7, with valuable contributions from Kohli and a counter-attacking innings from Patel. Despite a promising start, South Africa fell short in the chase, ending with 169/8.

Sharma noted, "Not many people are talking about his (Axar's) knock. But, that knock was a game changer. To get 47 off 31 in that time was very very crucial."

Patel's 47 runs off 31 balls, which included crucial boundaries, shifted the momentum in India's favor. His partnership with Kohli helped stabilize the innings before Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube added the finishing touches.

Sharma also commended Kohli for his anchoring innings, stating, "And then obviously we needed one guy to stick around. Virat did that job perfectly. Batted the entire innings throughout, which was really good, because Shivam, Axar, Hardik, they can come and play their role."

Kohli's 76 off 59 balls earned him the Player of the Match award. The bowlers, spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, successfully defended the score, ending India’s trophy drought in global tournaments.