South Africa's Keshav Maharaj Offers Proteas Early Break With Twin Strike Against India in T20WC Final

South African spinner Keshav Maharaj’s twin strike in the second over of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final against India helped the debutant finalists picks up a resounding breakthrough early in the game as the spinner removed two top-order batters in quick succession.

The spinner dismissed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma for 9 runs off 5 deliveries to bag his first of the day before doubling down on his tally in the very same over as he sent Rishabh Pant back to the hut for a duck a couple of deliveries later.

Team India won the toss and skipper Rohit decided to have a bat first as he came out to open the innings alongside star batter Virat Kohli, just as the pair had done throughout the tournament.

Kohli, who has been experiencing a harsh dip in form in the Caribbean tournament, demonstrated his class as he rushed into double digits with a couple of authoritative boundaries in the first over off Marco Jansen.

And just when it seemed as though India had a brilliant start to the final, Proteas captain Aiden Markram decided to throw the ball to his lead spinner and Maharaj repaid his skipper’s faith in the best way possible as he sent the dangerous Rohit back to the hut.

Rohit looked to sweep the spinner on the front foot, but was caught by Heinrich Klaasen inside the circle, before Pant’s attempt at a shot picked up an edge off the cue end of the willow and Quinton de Kock had the simple task of completing the catch behind the wicket to send the southpaw back on the long walk.

Suryakumar Yadav came out looking to stabilise the innings but the stylish batter also met his end prematurely as Klaasen picked up his second catch of the day, this time in the deep, as Kagiso Rabada struck.

Axar Patel was promoted up the order for India and the southpaw looked to build a partnership alongside the reslute Kohli.

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