Axar Patel plucked a stunner out of thin air to bring India back in the contest against Australia, defending a total of 206 in the penultimate Group-1, Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup. 

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Chasing the challenging target, Australia were off to a poor start as David Warner edged one straight to Suryakumar Yadav, standing at first slip in the opening over by Arshdeep Singh. However, captain Mitch March and Travis Head joined forces and immediately started landing the counter-punches. 

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When it looked like the game was running away from India, Kuldeep Yadav bowled a flatter one on middle and leg in the ninth over which was smashed to Axar, stationed at deep backward square leg. 

The all-rounder could not judge the ball early but adjusted himself and jumped at the right moment to not only grab the catch but also land safely so that the ball did not lob out of his hands. 

Rohit’s pyrotechnics blows Australia away

Put into bat first by Australia, India endured a poor start as well when Virat Kohi departed for his second duck of the tournament. Kohli’s partner, Rohit Sharma took the matters into his own hands and went on a rampage against the Australian bowlers. 

Every Australian bowler, bar Josh Hazlewood was hit to all parts of the park. Australia’s premier strike bowler, Mitchell Starc faced the ultimate wrath of Rohit who smashed him for 29 runs in one over.  

The Indian skipper bludgeoned eight sixes and seven boundaries whilst breaking a series of records for India in T20 World Cups. The Hitman became the first man in men’s T20I history to hit 200 sixes as he took his tally to 203.

Despite Rohit’s pyrotechnics, India lost little bit of momentum after his dismissal as Shivam Dube found it difficult to get going. Hardik Pandya played a short but sweet cameo at the end to ensure Men-in-Blue crossed the 200-run barrier. 

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