India's tumultuous start in the T20 World Cup final gave way to a valiant recovery, culminating in a formidable 176-7 against South Africa. Despite losing captain Rohit Sharma early, the resolute Indian batters rallied, overcoming initial setbacks.
Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant's swift dismissals threatened to derail their momentum, but the audacious Axar Patel valiantly rose to the occasion, amassing 47 runs off 31 deliveries at the pivotal number three position.
South Africa's Keshav Maharaj emerged as a formidable force, claiming two wickets while conceding a mere 23 runs in his spell. Anrich Nortje echoed Maharaj's success with an equally impressive double-wicket haul. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen chipped in with a wicket apiece, leaving India reeling at 34 for 3 in the fifth over.
Yet, the resilience of the Indian batting lineup shone through. They clawed their way back into contention, defying the Proteas' bowling onslaught. Their unwavering determination paid dividends, as they defied all odds to post an impressive 176 - the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final.
The Proteas, now faced with a daunting 177-run chase, must summon their own reserves of resilience to overcome the formidable target set by India. The stage is set for a thrilling climax to the T20 World Cup final.
