In the Twenty20 World Cup final, Virat Kohli led India to a total of 176-7 against South Africa in Bridgetown, Barbados. Kohli struggled in previous matches but scored a critical 76 runs off 59 balls with six boundaries and two sixes after India found themselves in trouble at 34-3 in the first five overs. Axar Patel, who came in at No. 5, played a quick innings of 47 runs off 31 balls, including four sixes, and shared a vital 72-run partnership with Kohli to stabilize the Indian innings.
Kohli completed his half-century in the 17th over and then accelerated by hitting impressive sixes against Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen. However, Kohli was caught in the deep in the penultimate over. Shivam Dube also made a useful contribution of 27 runs off 16 balls before being dismissed in the final over by Anrich Nortje as India scored 58 runs in the last five overs.
Rohit Sharma started strong by hitting three boundaries in the first over, but he was caught by Heinrich Klaasen while attempting a reverse sweep off Maharaj’s bowling. Rishabh Pant was also dismissed while attempting a reverse sweep before Maharaj struck twice more with Suryakumar Yadav being caught out on deep fine leg off Rabada’s bowling.
Klaasen took another important catch at deep fine leg off Rabada’s bowling to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav before Patel and Kohli rebuilt the Indian innings. Unfortunately, Patel was run out due to a brilliant throw by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock who intercepted Kohli’s flick and hit the stumps at non-striker’s end. Both teams remained unchanged from the semifinals with South Africa aiming for their first ICC title and India hoping to secure their first major trophy after thirteen years.
