"I wasn't nervous" - Virat Kohli's role in Axar Patel's T20 World Cup final batting masterclass revealed

India allrounder Axar Patel has revealed how his constant communication with Virat Kohli helped him play a vital innings in the T20 World Cup 2024 final against South Africa at Barbados. Axar Patel played the innings of his life in the final game as he scored a vital 47 off just 31 balls to dig India out of trouble.

The left-hander came to bat when India were in huge trouble at 34-3 inside the powerplay. The Men in Blue had lost three of their top four wickets early but Virat Kohli was still standing at the other end. Axar's promotion to No. 5 was a huge surprise and a risk but it worked in the final.

While Kohli decided to play the anchor's role and soak in the pressure, Axar was more aggressive in his approach. He took the attack to the opposition and smashed South Africa's spinners out of the game.

Although he was dismissed in an unfortunate way, his 72-run partnership with Virat Kohli brought India's innings back on track and helped India register a big total on the board.

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Axar Patel reveals how his communication with Virat Kohli helped him score runs

While speaking to ESPNCricinfo, Axar revealed his thought process when he went to bat under pressure in such a big game. He claimed that he went with a positive mindset and didn't think too much about the consequences of the match.

"I wasn't nervous. Obviously, there is pressure on you, but at the time, I didn't understand how to react. I don't think when I went to bat, there was anything going on in my mind. I had gone with a see-ball, hit-ball mindset. I was not thinking about anything, not worrying about the consequences; there were no second thoughts in my mind," Axar said.

The left-handed batter also mentioned how his communication with Virat Kohli helped him calm down and play positively.

"I consistently communicated with Virat [Kohli] bhai, so I didn't feel that I have come in early and that I have to do something different. I kept talking with Virat bhai, and we communicated clearly about what we have to do," Axar added.

Shivam Dube carried on the momentum to help India reach a big total

After Axar was dismissed, Shivam Dube carried on with the momentum. He smashed a quickfire 27 off 16 balls before Virat Kohli raised the tempo and took on the bowlers at the death. Kohli was dismissed by Marco Jansen for an excellent 76 off 59 balls that helped India post 176-7 in 20 overs.

In reply, South Africa lost two early wickets but Quinton de Kock and Tristan Stubbs steadied the innings together with an excellent counter-attacking partnership. Stubbs and de Kock were dismissed in quick succession but Heinrich Klaasen arrived and showed why he is rated so highly.

Klaasen scored 24 runs off Axar Patel to take South Africa way ahead in the game. But India's fast bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, had other ideas. After Klaasen was dismissed by Hardik Pandya, Bumrah produced a magical second spell to push South Africa on the back foot.

Hardik Pandya successfully defended 16 runs off the final over to take India to their first ICC tournament win in 11 years. Kohli was adjudged 'Player of the Match' in the final while Bumrah was rewarded with the 'Player of the Series' award.