Axar Patel's Game-Changing Innings Key to India's T20 World Cup Triumph, Says Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma Applauds Axar Patel's Pivotal Innings in T20 World Cup Victory

Following India's momentous ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, Rohit Sharma has highlighted the critical contribution of a player who significantly influenced their victory over South Africa in the final.

In a conversation with Star Sports, the Indian captain commended his team's resilience and composure. While Virat Kohli received praise, it was Axar Patel whose performance was labeled as the definitive “game changer” in the tense final. India's victory over South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on June 29, 2024, ended an 11-year wait for an ICC title. This win marked their first T20 World champions title since the inaugural edition in 2007 and their first ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

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

India, batting first in the high-pressure match, scored 176/7, propelled by Kohli’s steady innings and a vital counter-attacking knock from Axar Patel in the middle overs. Despite a promising start, South Africa fell short in their chase, finishing at 169/8.

Rohit Sharma reflected on the final, stating, "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."

Axar Patel’s vital 47 runs from 31 balls, including crucial boundaries when India was struggling, proved decisive. His partnership with Kohli steadied the innings before Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube provided the final flourish.

Sharma also acknowledged Kohli’s anchoring role: "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 innings of 76 from 59 balls earned him the Player of the Match award. The bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, maintained their composure in the final overs to secure the ICC title, ending India’s trophy drought in major tournaments.