Video: Virat Kohli Gives Thumbs Up To Axar Patel's Six During IND vs SA T20 World Cup 2024 Final

Team India's opener Virat Kohli was left impressed with one of the sixes by his batting partner Axar Patel during the T20 World Cup 2024 Final against South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados' Bridgetown on Saturday, June 29.

After opting to bat first, India were left reeling by South Africa bowling attack as they lost three wickets in skipper Rohit Sharma (9), Rishabh Pant (0) and Suryakumar Yadav for 34 runs in 4.3 overs. However, Axar Patel was joined by Virat Kohli at the crease to revive India's batting.

Axar picked up his form at the right time and took on South Africa bowlers to the cleaners with his aggressive batting approach. In the eight over, Axar Patel hit a six off Aiden Markram before going for another one off Keshav Maharaj in the following over.

The second six that Axar Patel hit off Maharaj towards cow corner received a thumbs-up from Virat Kohli, who was at the non-striker's end. The video of this moment was shared by the ICC on its Instagram handle.

Virat Kohli and Axar Patel formed a crucial 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket until the latter's stay at the crease ended after he was run out for 46 off 31 balls. His crucial innings consisted of four and four sixes and batted at a strike rate of 151.16.

Virat Kohli's fifty and Shivam Dube cameo help India set 177-run target for SA to chase

After Axar Patel's dismissal, Virat Kohli was joined by Shivam Dube in the middle to carry on India's momentum. Kohli brought up his first century of the tourmant in 48 balls and went on to play vital innings of 76 off 59 balls before he was dismissed by Marco Jansen at 163/5.

Shivam Dube chipped in for the Team India at the right time and played a quickfire innings of 27 off 16 balls until he was removed by 174/6. Before the end of the first innings, India lost another wicket in Ravindra Jadeja for 2 and eventually posted a total of 176/7.

For South Africa, Keshav Maharaj (2/23) and Anrich Nortje (2/26) led the bowling attack with two wickets, while Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen picked a wicket each.