Watch: Quinton de Kock's brilliant presence of mind sends Axar Patel back to pavilion after sublime 47

In the summit clash of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, South Africa's wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock showed his razor-sharp reflexes and cricket acumen, running out India's Axar Patel in a crucial moment of the final. The match began with India winning the toss and electing to bat first.

The Indian innings got off to a rocky start, with the team finding themselves in tricky positions as the scorecard read at 34/3. The fall of key wickets, including captain Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav, left India reeling. It was in this situation that Patel joined Virat Kohli at the crease, given the responsibility of steadying the ship.

However, just as India seemed to be gaining the upper hand, de Kock's moment of brilliance changed the course of the game. In the 14th over, with India at 106/3, Kohli attempted a flick off his legs of Kagiso Rabada's bowling. De Kock, ever alert behind the stumps, caught the ball and, in no time, aimed at the non-striker's end. 

The ball hit the stumps and deflected to the long-off boundary with the whole Proteas side appealing for a run out. In the confusion, Patel, who had initially set off for a single, found himself stranded mid-pitch. Kohli, with his back turned, was unaware of his partner's position, leaving Patel no time to get back to the crease.

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Also read: Rohit Sharma pats Virat Kohli's back after three boundaries in first over of Final

Axar-Kohli stitch an important 72-run stand

De Kock's lightning-fast thinking and pinpoint accuracy resulted in Patel's dismissal, bringing an end to his invaluable innings of 47. This wicket was a significant blow to India's momentum, reducing them to 106/4.

Patel and Kohli stitched an important 72-run stand giving India another chance to set a defendable total and gradually shifting the momentum in their favor. Patel, in particular, played a pivotal role, contributing a quick-fire 47 off just 31 deliveries, lacing his innings with one boundary and four sixes.