Virat Kohli and Axar Patel's batting brilliance helped Team India shatter record for the highest total in the history of T20 World Cup Final against South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados' Bridgetown on Saturday, June 29.
The Men In Blue posted a total of 176/7 in 20 overs, thanks to fireworks by Kohli and Axar as well as a quickfire cameo by Shivam Dube, shattering West Indies' previous record total of 161/6 in the 2016 Final of the showpiece against England at the Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata.
Team India were reeling at 34/3 in 4.3 overs when Virat Kohli and Axar Patel stepped up for the team at a crucial juncture to pull the Men in Blue from a shambolic situation. Kohli and Axar 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 at 106/4.
After Axar Patel's dismissal, Shivam Dube was joined by Virat Kohli at the crease to carry on India's momentum. Kohli brought up his first century of the tourmant in 48 balls and went on to play a vital innings of 76 off 59 balls before he was dismissed by Marco Jansen at 163/5.
Shivam Dube chipped in for 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 led the bowling attack as he registered figure 2/23 with an economy rate of 9 in 3 overs. Maharaj picked two early wickets of Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant to provide early breakthroughs for the Proteas. Anrich Nortje too picked two wickets while conceding 26 runs at an economy rate of 6.50.
South Africa to chase 177 to clinch their maiden World Cup title
South Africa will have to chase down 177-run target in order to clinch their maiden title in the history of World Cups (ODI and T20I). The Proteas are playing in the World Cup final for the first in their cricketing history.
Making their World Cup debut in 1992, South Africa suffered heartbreaks in the major tournaments. Proteas reached semifinals of the 1992, 1999, 2007, 2015 and 2023 but failed to qualify for the Final.
In T20 World Cup, Proteas reached the semifinals twice in 2009 and 2014, but lost to Pakistan and India, respectively. The Proteas will look to end their 4 decades of heartbreak by lifting the coveted T20 World Cup trophy.
