India secured a crucial 24-run victory against Australia in their final Super Eight clash of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Monday in St Lucia. While the match was filled with memorable moments, Axar Patel’s extraordinary fielding effort stood out, earning him the coveted Best Fielder Award in the Indian dressing room.
As Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh tried to take the game away from India, Patel produced a moment of magic that shifted the momentum. Kuldeep Yadav’s delivery tempted Marsh into a powerful shot towards deep square leg. Patel showed his exceptional reflexes, diving to his right and plucking the ball out of thin air with his non-dominant right hand.
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This stunning catch not only dismissed the dangerous Marsh but also turned the match in India’s favour. The significance of Patel’s catch was further emphasized during the team’s post-match medal ceremony. Fielding coach T Dilip, addressing the team, praised the overall fielding effort, particularly highlighting the contributions of Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya.
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However, it was Axar Patel who emerged as the standout performer, beating strong contenders like Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, and Rohit Sharma for the Best Fielder Award. The medal was presented to Patel by Nuwan Senevirathne, a throwdown specialist for the Indian team.
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The game saw Rohit Sharma & Co. put up a formidable total of 205 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Sharma’s blistering knock of 92 off 41 deliveries set the tone, with valuable contributions from Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya in the end. Australia’s chase, spearheaded by Travis Head’s impressive 76 off 43 balls, kept them in the hunt until a game-changing moment occurred.
This victory not only secured India’s place in the semi-finals but also continued their unbeaten run in the tournament. The team now looks forward to their semi-final clash against England on June 27.
