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In a highly anticipated showdown, South Africa are taking on India in the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The cricketing world was abuzz with excitement as these two powerhouses went head-to-head at the Kennington Oval in Barbados. Rohit Sharma, leading the Indian side, won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that quickly came under scrutiny.
India’s early setbacks
India’s innings got off to a shaky start as they lost three wickets for just 34 runs. The South African bowlers, especially Keshav Maharaj, were relentless, putting the Indian batters under immense pressure. The top order struggled to find their footing, leaving the team in a precarious position.
Virat Kohli and Axar Patel’s resilient partnership
After the early blows, Virat Kohli and Axar Patel stepped up to stabilize the innings. The experienced Kohli, along with Axar, forged a crucial partnership that brought some much-needed stability to the Indian innings. Together, they added 72 runs for the fourth wicket, gradually steering India towards a competitive total.
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Quinton de Kock’s game-changing run out
The partnership, however, was brought to an abrupt end by a moment of brilliance from Quinton de Kock. The incident occurred on the third delivery of the 14th over. Kagiso Rabada bowled a back-of-a-length delivery down the leg side, which Kohli missed. The ball deflected off his thigh pad and went to the left of De Kock.
Axar, sensing an opportunity for a single, ventured down the pitch. Realizing the risk, he attempted to charge back to his crease. However, he was caught off guard as Axar didn’t expect a throw to come to his end. De Kock, with sharp reflexes, seized the moment and fired a direct hit at the non-striker’s end, catching Axar short of his ground.
This remarkable piece of fielding by de Kock not only broke the crucial partnership but also shifted the momentum back in favor of South Africa. The run-out was a testament to De Kock’s agility and precision, showcasing his exceptional skills behind the stumps.
