"Bapu getting Englishmen out since 1947" - Fans react to Axar Patel's match-winning spell in IND vs ENG 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals

Team India's Axar Patel delivered a stunning spell in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals against England in Guyana on Thursday, June 27. The left-arm spinner registered figures of 4-0-23-3.

England were required to chase down a challenging 172-run target in the knockout fixture. Axar drew first blood for the Men in Blue, getting rid of the dangerous Jos Buttler in the fourth over.

Axar struck on his very first ball as Buttler was caught behind while playing the reverse sweep. The crafty spinner then dismissed Jonny Bairstow for a three-ball duck in the sixth over.

Moeen Ali became the 30-year-old's third victim, as he was out stumped in the eighth over. Several fans took to social media, showering praise on Axar Patel for his bowling exploits.

Here are some of the top reactions:

Many Indian supporters lauded Axar for stepping up in the high-pressure semifinals.

"Purane Bharat ka Baapu Non Violent tha Naye Bharat ka Baapu Violent hai (Old India's Baapu was non violent, new India's Baapu is violent). Axar Patel Choking England with both hands," wrote a fan.

"No PR , No fan Army, No Photoshoots. No Advertisements Only Focus on - Best Fielding , Bowling- Maiden in Power plays, Score important Runs when team needed. Pure class all rounder," commented another.

"Axar Patel India’s harfun maula - man of many skills. Gets wickets in power play, contributes with bat, is a floater in batting order and also takes blinders. Rohit's all purpose player," wrote former cricketer Mohammad Kaif.

India completed a comprehensive 68-run win in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals, bundling out England for a paltry score of 103. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav claimed three wickets apiece.

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Axar Patel on India's bowling plans on 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals: "Our batters told us that the wicket wasn't easy"

Axar Patel was adjudged the Man of the Match for his impressive performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup semifinals. Speaking at the post-match presentation, he mentioned that the wicket was tough to bat on.

Suggesting that his focus was to hit the right areas consistently, given that the odd ball kept low, Axar said:

"Have bowled in the powerplay in the past, so I had to bowl in the powerplay. That was the plan. The wicket was stopping and keeping low, so tried to bowl in the right areas. The wicket was slow, so I tried to bowl slower in this match, it worked for me. Wouldn't have worked had I bowled quicker, would have been easier for their batters. Our batters told us that the wicket wasn't easy, so 160 was a good total according to us."

India and South Africa will lock horns in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados on Saturday, July 29.