In the final match of the Twenty20 World Cup, Virat Kohli led India to a total of 176-7 against South Africa in Bridgetown, Barbados. The Indian team was struggling after losing three wickets in the first five overs, with Kohli scoring a critical 76 runs off 59 balls with six boundaries and two sixes. Axar Patel came in at No. 5 and played a quick innings of 47 runs off 31 balls, including four sixes, to help stabilize the Indian innings.
Kohli completed his half-century in the 17th over and then accelerated by hitting impressive sixes against Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen. However, he was caught in the deep in the penultimate over. Shivam Dube also made a useful contribution of 27 runs off 16 balls before being dismissed in the final over by Anrich Nortje as India scored 58 runs in the last five overs.
In contrast to India’s struggles, South Africa started strong with Heinrich Klaasen striking two fours off the first two balls he faced from Keshav Maharaj. However, Maharaj struck back by dismissing Sharma on his second ball as he attempted to play a reverse sweep. Rishabh Pant was also dismissed while attempting a reverse sweep on Maharaj’s third ball.
The match remained closely contested until Klaasen took another important catch at deep fine leg off Rabada’s bowling to dismiss Suryakumar Yadav before Patel and Kohli rebuilt the Indian innings. Unfortunately for Patel, he was run out due to a brilliant throw by wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock who intercepted Kohli’s flick and hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Despite their struggles, both teams remained unchanged from the semifinals, with South Africa aiming for their first ICC title in their first final and India hoping to secure their first major trophy in 13 years.
In summary, Virat Kohli led India to victory with his impressive performance against South Africa during the Twenty20 World Cup match held in Barbados. Despite starting slow, India managed to recover thanks to contributions from Axar Patel and Shivam Dube before ultimately falling short of winning by just one run.