Axar Patel reveals Virat Kohli's message during game-changing partnership in T20 World Cup Final, says 'I'm there if you think that you can..'

Indian cricket team's historic triumph in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024 is a memory that will forever be alive in the hearts of all Indian fans. Star all-rounder Axar Patel played a crucial role in India's victory against South Africa in the Final and he even revived the Men in Blue’s innings from the backfoot and took them to a winning position. He joined a game-changing 72-run partnership with Virat Kohli for the fourth wicket that later played a major role in India's win in Barbados.

Axar Patel reveals Virat Kohli's message during partnership in Final

Axar Patel was one of the key players in India's campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024. He performed exceptionally well in all departments, be it batting, bowling, or fielding. However, his 47-run knock in the Final against South Africa stands above the rest. The all-rounder revealed messages from Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya during that match.

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“Rohit bhai was standing beside me when Rishabh Pant got out. He told me 'Axar pads pehen le'. After that (Yuzvendra) Chahal came running to tell me that Rahul (Dravid) Bhai wants me to pad up. When I was padding up I did not know what to do. We were two wickets down and I had still not analysed the pitch. Next I saw Suryakumar (Yadav) also got out. Things happened so suddenly that I did not have time to think,” Axar Patel told Cricbuzz.

“When I was going down the staircase, Hardik told me in Gujarati not to take any stress. 'Just watch the ball and hit the ball,' he said and it stuck with me. I hit a boundary off the first ball I faced. I became very confident. I spoke to Virat bhai and he kept guiding me. He said, 'I'm there. If you think that you can hit, then go for it (Axar scored a crucial 47 and added 72 runs with Kohli for the fourth wicket).' The constant communication was helpful. The rest is history,” he added.

Axar to make his return with Sri Lanka tour

BCCI has announced the Indian squad for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour and Axar Patel has sealed his spot in both T20I and ODI teams. He would have extra responsibilities with him in the absence of Ravindra Jadeja, who is not part of the ODI setup for the tour and announced his retirement from T20Is.

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