Virat Kohli's PoTM performance kicked aside as Wasim Jaffer picks India's real hero in T20 World Cup win

Former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes that Virat Kohli didn't play the most important part in the T20 World Cup final for India. According to Jaffer, it was Axar Patel's knock that didn't allow South African bowlers to settle down.

India had lost 3 wickets for 34 runs and were under immense pressure. With Virat Kohli at one end, Axar Patel was promoted up the order at No. 5 before Shivam Dube and Hardik Pandya. The allrounder played his knock to perfection and provided the impetus that India desperately needed.

He attacked South African spinners throughout his innings and didn't let them settle. Axar's attacking approach allowed Kohli to play his natural game at the other end without taking too many risks.

Unfortunately, Patel was superbly run out by the wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock for 47 off 31 balls. His knock included 1 four and 4 sixes. The straight six off fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was the highlight of his brilliant counter-attacking innings.

Also read: Virat Kohli's T20I retirement a wrong decision? Batter's childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma shares bold views

The most important part was played by Axar Patel - Wasim Jaffer

While speaking on his YouTube channel, Wasim Jaffer lauded Virat Kohli for staying at one end when things had gone tricky for India.

"Virat Kohli hadn't scored many runs in the tournament, but he chose the right moment to come good. Cometh the hour, cometh the man as we say, his knock of 76 made a lot of difference and kept one end intact," Jaffer said.

Despite Kohli top-scoring in the match, Jaffer reckoned that it was Axar Patel's knock that made the difference. According to Jaffer, Axar Patel didn't allow the run rate to drop, which was crucial as well.

"The most important part I thought was played by Axar Patel. The cameo that he played ensured that the run rate from India never dropped below eight runs per over. He took the attack to the South African bowlers and didn't let them settle, forming a crucial partnership with Kohli," the former India batter mentioned.

"We should bow down to the true greats of the game" - Wasim Jaffer on Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma

Jaffer also spoke about the two India legends, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20I cricket after this match. The former India opener backed their decision to leave the format on a high.

"Two giants of the game (Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma) have retired from T20Is and this will certainly form a big gap. However, they rightly chose to go out on a high after winning the trophy and we should bow down to the true greats of the game. We will continue to see them in IPL, ODIs and Tests," Jaffer further added.

Talking about the match, India posted 176-7 in 20 overs. In reply, South Africa looked on course to win when Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller were taking the Indian spinners apart. With 30 runs needed off 30 balls, Jasprit Bumrah returned and produced a magical spell to leave the Proteas on the back foot,

With 16 needed off the final over, Hardik Pandya kept his composure as South Africa fell short by 7 runs. This was India's second T20 World Cup title. They had won their first title in the format in 2007, which was also the inaugural edition.