A night of high drama unfolded at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday as India defeated Afghanistan in a nail-biting finish to clinch the three-match T20I series 3-0. The match went down to the wire, requiring two super overs to decide the winner, highlighting the thrilling contest between the two sides. India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, was the star of the show, etching his name in T20I history by becoming the first batsman to achieve five centuries in the format.
After consecutive ducks in the first two matches against Afghanistan, Sharma made a stunning comeback with a match-winning century in the third T20I. His remarkable innings of 121 runs off 64 balls, featuring 10 fours and 6 sixes, played a pivotal role in rescuing Team India from a precarious position at 22/4. Sharma’s last T20I century was in 2018 against West Indies, where he scored an unbeaten 111 at Lucknow.
This century, however, surpassed his previous record, highlighting his dominance in the shortest format. The skipper, along with Rinku Singh’s aggressive 69, led India to a commanding position against Afghanistan’s bowling attack in Bengaluru. The remarkable turnaround showcased Sharma’s resilience and ability to bounce back, ultimately steering India to a formidable total in the third T20I.
WATCH – Sanju Samson’s Masterful Stumping Dismisses Afghanistan Captain Ibrahim Zadran In T20 Clash
Eventually, Team India registered a mammoth score of 212/4 in their quota of 20 overs owing to some brutal hitting from both Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh in the slog overs. For context, they amassed as many as 103 runs in the last 5 overs including 36 runs in the final over. Also, Rinku also amassed his second T20I fifty and on both occasions he came out to bat in the powerplay overs.
Afghanistan then came out all guns blazing with Rahmaullah Gurbaz setting the tone. Just when it seemed like a lost cause, Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi muscled big blows to bring them within touching distance. Then with 19 needed from six, they managed to pull the rug from under Mukesh to set the first Super Over up.
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Rohit, having become the first man to hit five T20I tons, then muscled two sixes in the first Super Over while chasing 17 runs, before retiring out to seemingly have the fresher Rinku do all the running. It still wasn’t enough. He had to – and was allowed to – come back again and hit a six in the second Super Over as well but Team India lost two wickets on teh last two balls.
Needing 12 to win, the valiant Afghans ran out of gas, hitting two short-of-a-length leg breaks from Ravi Bishnoi to long-off straight to long-off to end a dramatic night still without an international win against Team India.
Here is the video of the final moments:
WHAT. A. MATCH! 🤯
An edge of the seat high scoring thriller in Bengaluru ends with #TeamIndia‘s match and series win 🥳
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/oJkETwOHlL#TeamIndia | #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/731Wo4Ny8B
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 17, 2024
India’s victory in the third T20I was a thrilling culmination to a hard-fought series. Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking century and the team’s fighting spirit in the super overs were the key takeaways from the match. Afghanistan, despite their valiant efforts, fell short once again and will be looking to learn from their mistakes as they prepare for future challenges.
Here is how the netizens reacted to India’s thrilling win after two super overs:
Afghanistan finally run out of steam in the long-drawn, see-saw contest. Jolly good show by Team India to keep their nerve and make a clean sweep of series. Rohit brilliant with bat and tactics tonight
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) January 17, 2024
Afghanistan are still yet to win an international match against India.
But tied 2 matches! (other one in 2018 Asia Cup)
And lost today after second Super Over.#INDvAFG
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) January 17, 2024
It is June. India and Afghanistan haven’t reached USA for the T20 World Cup coz they’re still playing at Chinnaswamy. Vikram Rathore is is batting.
— Tanmay Bhat (@thetanmay) January 17, 2024
What an incredible game! After 2 back to back super overs India won the 3rd T20I and white washed Afghanistan by 3-0! @ImRo45 rewrites history as he smashes his 5th T20I century, @rinkusingh235 ‘s outstanding half century, @Sundarwashi5 and Ravi Bishnoi taking wickets were key… pic.twitter.com/E3MKQlRss4
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 17, 2024
afghanistan 🇦🇫 is bringing india 🇮🇳 to a super-over after scoring 212 runs, team india- we are in no way ready for the t20 world cup
thank you for subtly saying – no hopes, ipl dhan dhana dhan#INDvAFG
— Manish Pandey (मनीष पाण्डेय) (@join2manish) January 17, 2024
India using all their IQ in a super over of dead rubber of a bilateral series against Afghanistan. This is how serious we are.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) January 17, 2024
Afghanistan and India both the team gave us full entertainment today #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/LmcHf7NyOw
— Ambani jiii (@ambani_jiii) January 17, 2024
India vs Afghanistan 3rd T20 match summary. pic.twitter.com/pxTWUkryq0
— Sai Teja (@csaitheja) January 17, 2024