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The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru played host to a breathtaking encounter between India and Afghanistan in the 3rd T20I of the three-match series. The crowd witnessed a roller coaster of emotions as both teams fought fiercely, ultimately leading to a double super over thriller. Rohit Sharma‘s record-breaking century and Gulbadin Naib‘s valiant effort were the highlights of a match that will be etched in cricketing history.
India’s roller coaster ride: Rohit Sharma shines
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India faced early setbacks, finding themselves at a precarious 22-4. The Afghanistan bowlers, led by Fareed Ahmad‘s impressive spell of 3/20, had the home team on the ropes. However, the tide turned dramatically as Rohit and Rinku Singh stitched together an extraordinary unbeaten 190-run partnership. Rohit’s fifth T20I century, a scintillating 121 off 69 balls, and Rinku’s fiery 69 off 39 deliveries not only resurrected India’s innings but also set the stage for an imposing total of 212/4.
Afghanistan’s gritty response: Gulbadin Naib’s herculean effort
Chasing a formidable target, Afghanistan showed immense resilience with notable contributions from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (50 off 32), Ibrahim Zadran (50 off 41), Mohammad Nabi (34 off 16), and the standout performer, Gulbadin, w🗹ho played a herculean knock of 55 off 23 balls. The visitors managed to reach the exact target of 212, forcing th꧑e match into a tie.
Also READ: Afghanistan’s Karim Janat joins an unwanted l🍸ist of bowlers to concede 36 runs in an over in T20Is
Super over drama
With the regular proceedings ending in a thrilling tie, the match proceeded to a super over. Afghanistan posted a challenging 16 runs in their super over, setting the stage for India’s reply. In an intense battle, India matched the score, leading to yet another tie in the super over.
The second super over decider
The drama continued as the match went into a second super over. India, batting first, scored 11 runs. Afghanistan needed 12 runs to win but fell short, losing both wickets in the process. Rohit’s strategic captaincy, coupled with the Ravi Bishnoi’s exceptional effort, secured India’s victory in the double super over thriller. With this victory, India whitewashed Afghanistan 3-0.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
��𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐓൲𝐈𝐂 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐓!! 🇮🇳🏏🙌💯
"Captain fantastic" led from the front with some unbelievable batting and captaincy, was brilliant again and in the end in the second "super over", it's the "nerve" of Ravi Bishnoi, made…
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj)
At the end, it was 's night. The game started with him and ended with him.
We will soon see what has for him.
— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima)
Ravi bജishnoi ✤you freaking beautyyyyyyy. Thank you. What an incredible match this.😭
— Bhawana (@bhawnakohli5)
WHAT. A. GAME!!
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
Bish-NOICE! 🤩🥳🇮🇳
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL)
𝐑𝐨𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫��𝐚🍎 🤝 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬
A never ending love story 💙
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals)
RAVI BISHNOI WINS IT FOR INDIA 🇮🇳
– He defended 12 runs in the Super Over.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
The streets will not forget this ꦕRavi Bishnoi performance in a SUPER OVE🧔R!
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket)
THIS. IS. CINEMA. 📽️
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets)
The way ♋this game is headed, we woul♚d forget who all did well, so well done to Rohit, Rinku, Washi, Gulbadin and Nabi. 👏👏
Over to the double action of the supꦯer ꩵover now😂😂
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99)
🤯🔥 Thrilling night at Chinnaswamy! Double sup⛦er over kept us on the edge, but we won the match in style.
👏�� That brings a🍃n end to the T20I series, with India winning the series by 3️⃣-0️⃣.
📷 Getty • 🇮🇳
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy)
Message to Indian fans.
— Krishna (@Atheist_Krishna)
Dear Afghans, keep your heads held high.
— The Cinéprism (@TheCineprism)