Axar Patel reveals Virat Kohli’s motivational words before the final innings of the T20 World Cup against South Africa

He formed a valuable 74-run fourth-wicket partnership with Kohli (76 off 59 balls) to pull India out of a dangerous situation in the pinnacle showdown against South Africa in Barbados.

New Delhi: India star all-rounder Axar Patel recently revealed how Virat Kohli guided him during the crucial partnership in the thrilling final of the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup against South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

Axar moved up the batting order and was sent in at number five, replacing Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dubey and Ravindra Jadeja, as India struggled at 34/3 in the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa. Patel took the opportunity to step up and played a memorable innings.

The left-handed batsman played brilliantly in the fightback, scoring 47 runs off 31 balls, including four sixes and a four. He formed a valuable fourth batsman partnership with Kohli (76 off 59 balls), putting up 74 runs to help India out of danger in the pinnacle showdown against South Africa in Barbados.

Axar revealed that Kohli told him to give it his all if he was confident and his constant communication with Kohli was crucial to his performance.

“The first ball I faced, I hit it for the boundary. I became very confident. I spoke to Virat bhai and he was guiding me the whole time. He said, ‘I am there. If you think you can bat, go for it.’ The constant communication helped. The rest is history,” Axar Patel was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

The all-rounder performed extremely well throughout the tournament and contributed to the match-winning performance. He claimed that the high-pressure environment brought out the best in him. In the previous match against Pakistan, he scored 20 runs and contributed 39 runs along with Rishabh Pant.

“It’s all about mentality. When there’s pressure, I don’t panic. I stay calm, think about the game, and handle myself accordingly. The key is to be in the present moment. It’s not easy, but I stay focused on the task at hand: which bowler I’m facing and what the situation requires. I don’t act half-heartedly,” he concluded.

Axar has been selected in India’s squad for the upcoming white-ball ODI and T20I series in July-August. The tour will mark Gautam Gambhir’s era as head coach of Indian cricket. The three-match T20I series will begin on July 27, while the ODIs will begin on August 2.