Axar Patel missed out on a half-century in the 2024 T20 World Cup Final against South Africa, getting run out on 47 due to a misjudgment. Axar, who was at the non-striker’s end, believed a run was possible when the ball deflected off Virat Kohli’s thigh pad towards the leg-side. However, he was slow to return to his crease, and a direct hit by South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock caught him short. This moment was notable, with India captain Rohit Sharma visibly unimpressed by the nature of Axar’s dismissal.
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Rabada to Kohli, out Axar Run Out!! *Axar run out (de Kock) 47(31) [4s-1 6s-4] 🎯 🎳 🅱️ 🔰#INDvSA #T20WorldCup2024 pic.twitter.com/U6EYSjLAHA— Sayyab Mirza (@SayyabMirza) June 29, 2024
Axar had been sent in to bat at a precarious 34/3 after early dismissals of Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav. He played a crucial role in stabilizing India’s innings, scoring 47 off 31 balls with four sixes and one boundary, helping to relieve pressure from Virat Kohli. Axar’s departure left India at 106/4 after 13.3 overs, with Shivam Dube coming in to replace him.
Rohit Sharma's reaction on Axar Patel's dismissal #INDvSA | #INDvsSA | #INDvsSAFinal | #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/NU3UE8B814
— 𝐌𝐞𝐡𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐲🧊 (@CricfootMehmed) June 29, 2024
Despite this setback, Kohli continued to anchor the innings, reaching his fifty in 48 balls by the 17th over and accelerating thereafter. India aims for their second T20 World Cup title, having first won in 2007, while South Africa, playing in their first T20 World Cup Final, seeks their inaugural title.