IND v AFG: Rohit Sharma 121 in winning cause as India prevail in Double Super Over thriller, seal series 3-0
Ravi Bishnoi defended 12 runs in the second Super Over as India beat Afghanistan in double Super Over to complete a 3-0 series sweep in the 3-match T20I series in Bengaluru on Wednesday.
After the scores were tied with both teams at 212, Afghanistan managed to accumulate 16 runs through powerful hitting from Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first Super Over. Despite Rohit Sharma’s consecutive sixes in India’s response, the team fell short of their 17-run target when Yashasvi Jaiswal mistimed the final ball against Azmatullah Omarzai.
Rohit continued his impressive form in the subsequent second Super Over, this time dominating Fareed Ahmad with a six and a four upfront. However, despite Rohit’s efforts, Rinku Singh and Sanju Samson departed for a duck, leaving the hosts in a challenging position.
Chasing 12 for a historic win, Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz struggled against Ravi Bishnoi, with both falling within the span of three balls. This resulted in a thrilling conclusion to the nearly 44-over contest in Bengaluru, ultimately conceding the victory to the hosts.
Chasing 212, Afghanistan needed 36 off the final 2 overs and 19 off the last over, but Gulbadin Naib’s heroics with the bat meant the match went to a Super Over. Afghanistan collected 17 runs off Avesh Khan’s 19th over and 18 off Mukesh Kumar’s final over.
Gulbadin Naib and Gurbaz came out to face Mukesh Kumar in the Super Over. Naib got run out for just one but Mohammed Nabi hit a six, Gurbaz hit a four and Afghanistan got three controversial byes to finish with 16 off their Super Over.
ROHIT’S RECORD-BREAKING NIGHT
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma chose to bat after winning the toss. However, the team faced an early setback as opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal, senior player Virat Kohli, and middle-order batsman Sanju Samson were all dismissed by Fareed Ahmad’s effective new-ball strategy within the powerplay.
Adding to India’s woes, Azmatullah Omarzai removed the in-form Shivam Dube, leaving the hosts struggling at 22-4 within the first five overs. Captain Sharma, accompanied by aggressive batsman Rinku Singh, orchestrated a remarkable recovery, guiding the team past the 100-run mark by the 13.2-over mark.
Sharma’s innings was nothing short of spectacular, reaching his half-century in 41 balls and later smashing a record-breaking fifth T20I century in the penultimate over. The captain concluded with a career-best T20I score of 121* off 69 balls, featuring 11 boundaries and eight towering sixes. Rinku Singh also played a crucial role, contributing a six-laden 69* off 39 balls.
Facing a daunting target, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran put up a tactical fight, accumulating 93 runs in the first 11 overs. However, their resistance was disrupted by Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who outfoxed Gurbaz with a deceptive delivery.
Washington Sundar, Yadav’s spin partner, further dented Afghanistan’s hopes by dismissing skipper Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai in quick succession, reducing them from 93-0 to 107-3 in just 10 deliveries.
Despite the setbacks, Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib took charge of Afghanistan’s run-chase, forming a quick 56-run partnership from 22 balls. Nabi played a fiery cameo, scoring 34 runs off 16 balls, while Gulbadin guided his team to a thrilling tie in the final over of the match.