In a thrilling encounter at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, India clinched victory against Afghanistan in the second Super Over, sealing a comprehensive 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series. What was initially considered a dead rubber turned into a pulsating contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Opting to bat first, India set a formidable target of 212/4. Skipper Rohit Sharma played a captain’s knock, smashing an unbeaten 121 off just 69 deliveries. However, India found themselves in a precarious position at 22/4 within the powerplay, courtesy of a brilliant spell by Fareed Ahmad, who dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Sanju Samson. Azmatullah Omarzai added to India’s troubles by sending Shivam Dube back to the pavilion for just 1 run.
The turning point of the match came through an exceptional partnership between Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh. The duo stitched together a sensational fifth-wicket stand, amassing 190 runs and steering India to a remarkable recovery after the early collapse.
Afghanistan, undeterred by the challenging target, put up a valiant fight with Gulbadin Naib’s explosive 55* off 23 balls, propelling them to an equal score of 212/6. The game then headed into the drama of Super Overs.
In the first Super Over, both teams managed to score 16 runs, setting the stage for a nail-biting climax in the second Super Over. India batted first but could only muster 11 runs. However, leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi emerged as the hero, dismissing Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz for ducks. Afghanistan could only manage one run in response, conceding the victory to the Men in Blue.
The match showcased a roller-coaster of momentum shifts and highlighted India’s resilience, led by Rohit Sharma’s stellar captaincy and the remarkable partnership between him and Rinku Singh. The series whitewash affirmed India’s dominance in the T20 format, leaving fans with a memorable and exhilarating spectacle.