New Delhi. The Indian cricket team gave the fans a chance to rejoice by winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 title. This victory was never forgotten for captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. The way India defeated South Africa in the final will always be remembered. India had won a resounding victory against Pakistan during the tournament. Akshar Patel pulled the team out of trouble with his batting. While talking to senior journalist Vimal Kumar, he remembered that special match.
Axar Patel said, “If I describe that moment, Rohit bhai was with me, I was watching the match, I was watching two overs. I stay in the dressing room, I sit and watch the match from there to see what is going on. Rohit bhai got out, Rishabh got out, then Rohit bhai came, he was standing in front of me after wiping some sweat. I was sitting in a corner of the dressing room and Rohit bhai came and sat down, he told me to wear the pads, so I was opening the kit bag, then Chahal came, Rahul bhai also sent the same message to tell Axar to wear the pads, in the meantime Surya Kumar Yadav got out.”
India had won the match by 6 runs by restricting Pakistan to 113 runs after scoring 119 runs. Axar had made a crucial partnership of 39 runs with Kohli for the third wicket. Axar said, “I did not get time to think about what was going on and what was not. I did not even look at the scoreboard. When I was coming down the stairs, Hardik told me in Gujarati that ‘bahu vichaari is nahi khaali ball joto r ja ane ramj’, which means that look at the ball and hit it, do not think about anything else. I went with that only mind.”
What did Virat Kohli say in his ear?
“I did not get time to think about anything else inside. I was leaving and Virat bhai told me that look, X is 24/3 right now and we should take this partnership till 8-9 overs. There will be around 60 runs. If we reach 60 for 3 in eight overs, then it will look good. We can plan ahead that what to do, if we lose one, two or one wicket here, then we will be on the backfoot. So this was the discussion and after that I went and got a four on the first ball and then rest of you all know what I have done.”
Tags: Axar Patel, india vs pakistan, Virat Kohli
FIRST PUBLISHED : September 18, 2024, 16:04 IST