Virat Kohli Catches Axar Patel By Surprise; Tries To Touch His Feet After Match-Changing Moment - Watch

Axar Patel produced another brilliant all-round performance to help India win their third league stage match of the match tournament against New Zealand by 44 runs on Sunday (March 22) at Dubai to enter the semi-finals unbeaten in the tournament.

After India's top-order had a rare failure with Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli departing in the first seven overs of the match. Axar Patel walked out to bat at number five and ensured the Men in Blue were back on track on a tricky pitch. Axar played a valuable knock of 42 runs in 60 balls while putting up a 98-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer.

With the ball, Axar bowled a stunning spell that chocked New Zealand for runs. He was rewarded with a wicket on the last ball of his final over as he dismissed Kane Williamson. Williamson, who led a lone fight for New Zealand was stumped by Axar by playing a gritty knock of 81 runs in 120 balls.

Williamson's wicket put India in cruise control of the match and star Indian batter Virat Kohli appeared to acknowledge the importance of Axar's brilliance. In a video that is going viral on social media, the ex-Indian captain was spotted trying to touch the star all-rounder's feet. Axar was caught by surprise and shared a light moment with Kohli.

Axar bowled his entire quota of 10 overs and gave away just 32 runs while taking the big wicket of the former New Zealand captain.

Talking about the match, Shreyas Iyer's knock of 78 with the help of a handy cameo of 45 runs by Hardik after Axar's dismissal helped India post a solid score of 249 despite a five-wicket haul by Matt Henry. In reply, the Black Caps were bowled out for 204 runs with Varun Chakarvarthy taking a five-wicket haul on only his second appearance in an ODI game for India.

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