New Delhi: Virat Kohli bounced back among the runs after a rough patch to help India post the highest-ever total in a T20 World Cup final in the summit clash of the 2024 edition at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday. Kohli top-scored for India with a 76-run knock to help them finish with a strong total of 176/7 on the board in 20 overs.
Asked to bat first in the high-pressure final, India got off to a good start as Kohli slammed three boundaries in the first over against left-arm pacer Marco Jansen to get 15 runs from it. However, they lost in-form skipper Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant inside three balls in the next over to be left reeling on 23/2.
Suryakumar Yadav was also sent packing cheaply on just 3 runs off 4 balls by Kagiso Rabada in the 5th over before Kohli joined hands with Axar Patel to stage a rescue act. The duo shared an 82-run stand for the fourth wicket to help India stage a fightback and regain control of the proceedings in the final.
Axar played a brilliant knock of 47 runs off 31 balls before suffering an unfortunate run-out in the 14th over. Kohli joined hands with Shivam Dube after Axar’s dismissal to share another important partnership of 57 runs for the 5th wicket. His 76 off 59 balls was laced with 6 fours and 2 sixes as Kohli accelerated late while Dube played a vital cameo of 16-ball 27.
India break Australia’s record
India broke Australia’s record for the highest total in a T20 World Cup final. They surpassed Australia’s 173/2 in the T20 World Cup 2021 final against New Zealand. India will be hoping to successfully defend the total and clinch glory in Barbados as they aim to bring an end to their 11-year-long ICC trophy drought.
India last won a major ICC tournament in 2013 when they clinched the Champions Trophy title under MS Dhoni in 2013. India have since played 5 finals in major ICC events but have failed to go the distance and lift the elusive trophy. Both India and South Africa are unbeaten in the T20 World Cup 2024 so far and it remains to be seen who will manage to keep their winning run intact in the final.
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Virat Kohli top-scored with a 76-run knock as India finished with 176/7 on the board in 20 overs to post the highest ever total in a T20 World Cup final. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
