NEW DELHI: All-rounder Axar Patel pulled off one of the finest catches of the 2024 T20 World Cup to send Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh packing in the Super 8 clash in St Lucia on Monday.
After Marsh survived a couple of dropped catches earlier, Axar took a one-handed ripper at the fence to send the Aussie skipper back to the dugout for a 28-ball 37.
The Axar catch took place on the final ball of the ninth over from Kuldeep Yadav during Australia’s pursuit of 206.
As Marsh slog swept a Kuldeep length ball flat, it travelled to deep backward square-leg fence at the pace of knots. It seemed that the ball would comfortably fly over jumping Axar’s head but he instinctively stuck his hands up while a India support staff member ducked for cover.
As Axar timed his jump to perfection, fortunately for India, the ball stuck in his hands. The catch was also special as southpaw Axar grabbed it off his right hand.<\/p>\n
The Axar stunner ended the dangerous-looking 48-ball 81 stand between Marsh and opener Travis Head.
Earlier, Rohit Sharma combined brute force with elegance in his 92 off 41 balls as India amassed 205 for five against Australia.
On the best batting surface of the tournament, Australia put India into bat and Rohit made the most of the conditions with a sublime knock comprising seven fours and eight sixes including a record extending 200th in the format.<\/div>\n