Bade match ka player: Virat Kohli scores first 50 of the tournament, earns praise for stabilizing the innings

When discussing Virat Kohli, everyone remembers him as the man who performs in ICC tournaments. However, in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, his form seemed to have dwindled. But as they say, 'bade match ka player' (big match player), Kohli proved it in the Final against South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

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After winning the toss and opting to bat, fans were left in disbelief when, in the 2nd over, Keshav Maharaj dismissed skipper Rohit Sharma (9 off 5) and Rishabh Pant (0 off 2) in the same over. Later, Kagiso Rabada removed Suryakumar Yadav (3 off 4). All of this happened within 5 overs, but Virat Kohli stood strong and formed two crucial partnerships with Axar Patel (47 off 31) and Shivam Dube (27 off 16).

During this period, he also reached his first fifty of the tournament, earning praise from fans for stabilizing India's innings. Kohli's crucial innings came to an end in the 18.5th over, bowled by Marco Jansen. He miscued a shot, sending the ball into the air, and Kagiso Rabada took the catch at long-on. Kohli departed for 76 off 59 balls, which included 6 fours and 2 sixes.

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After 20 overs, the Men in Blue were restricted to 176 for 7. Hardik Pandya (5* off 2) and Ravindra Jadeja (2 off 2) were at the crease towards the end. For the Proteas, Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje both picked two wickets each while Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada have one each to their name.

Teams:

South Africa (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.

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