Double Super Overs Dhamaka seals a tense India-Afghanistan T20 game

It was an inconsequential match – both in terms of the outcome of the series as well as the composition of the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. It was the last international game India played in the format before the global showpiece event, but with the IPL coming up in a couple of months, nothing really hinged on this game.

But the drama and length of the game – a T20 game running almost four and a half hours with two sets of Super Overs – was akin to a match with much more riding on it. There were batsmen taking extra runs despite a throw deflecting of their body, a batsman of Rohit Sharma’s pedigree retiring himself out to get in a faster runner between wickets, and tempers being frayed between India and Afghanistan – two teams that generally get along quite well; the game was one crazy exhibition of the format.

For the record, the two teams tied at 212 after 20 overs each and at 16 after the first set of Super Overs. The Afghans would have felt ahead of the game when they restricted India for 11 in the next Super Over, before leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi got two wickets in three balls to bring a manic evening to an end.

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

The first Super Over may remain in the memories of some. With Afghanistan getting 13 off the first five balls, they ran a bye on the last one, only for the throw to deflect off Nabi’s body. Now, some would not take the extra runs in such an instance but at such a juncture, the Afghans added two more to their score, much to the displeasure of Rohit and his men.

Later, the hosts also stretched the ephemeral ‘Spirit of Cricket’ by retiring out their skipper – not the fleetest runner between wickets – for the much quicker Rinku Singh, during their Super Over knock. It worked as Rinku got across to the striker’s end after Jaiswal had squeezed it to the wicketkeeper – the run that dragged the game to another Super Over.

A lot to cram into an inconsequential bilateral T20I.

For a team to reach 212 after being 22/4 inside four overs is a remarkable achievement, but it was only the start of a roller-coaster ride. Rohit Sharma was almost certain to go to the T20 World Cup, but after two successive ducks, needed an injection of confidence, which he got with a record-breaking fifth T20I hundred.

#TeamIndia Captain @ImRo45 receives the trophy after a dramatic end to the #INDvAFG T20I series 👏👏

India win the T20I series 3⃣-0⃣@IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/9LQ8y3TFOq

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 17, 2024

The return of Rohit and Virat Kohli has reduced the wriggle room for youngsters vying for batting spots in the World Cup, but one of them who definitely will be on the plane – though one can never be too sure of such things – is Rinku Singh. He has been described as a finisher – someone expected to score 25 off 8 balls whether batting first or second – but on Wednesday, he showed he has the composure and match-awareness to build an innings and engineer a big rescue act.

Rohit and Rinku started sedately, rather by compulsion than choice, before targeting the weaker links in the Afghan bowling line-up. It showed that even in the shortest international format, good things can come to those who bide their time and launch their assault at the opportune moment.

The unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 190 off 100 balls included 103 runs in the last five overs and 36 off the 20th bowled by Karim Janat. The skipper was full of praise for his younger partner and what he brings to the table.

And the scores are tied!

Stay where you are, we have another Super-Over to follow!

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/oJkETwOHlL#TeamIndia | #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/PPxRtayrRF

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 17, 2024

“We may find ourselves in such situations in big games where we’d be 30 for 4. It was a good situation to be in with the pressure, was important to bat long, bat deep but not compromise on the intent we wanted to show. In the last couple of series he’s played, Rinku can show what he can do. Fearless, keeps himself calm, is very clear about his game plan and knows his strengths very well,” Rohit said after the game. “He’s coming of age, creates an impression every time he gets an opportunity. We’ve wanted someone who can bat in the back end with a clear mindset.”

Fighting underdogs

A target of 213 would have seemed beyond Afghanistan’s reach, but the flat Chinnaswamy pitch at night, the small ground and fast outfield always keeps chasing teams in the game. The opening pair of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, while not going berserk, gave a solid start putting on 51 in the Powerplay and 85 in the first half of their innings.

But with the asking rate getting well over two runs a ball, risks needed to be taken and a few wickets were inevitably lost, Washington Sundar bowling a key spell in the middle with figures of 3/18 from three overs.

Ghaatak Gurbaaz 🔥

The Afghan keeper-batter was in imperious touch in the 3rd #INDvAFG T20I ⚔️#IDFCFirstBankT20ITrophy #GiantsMeetGameChangers #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/yy1rpD9JdL

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) January 17, 2024

Both openers went for 50 each before Gulbadin Naib, who had hit an enterprising half-century in the second T20 on Sunday, coming to the party again with a 23-ball 55. For once, the veteran Mohammad Nabi too chipped in at the crucial stage with 34 off 16 deliveries. The equation read 105 needed off seven overs when Nabi and Naib teed off. The 14th over bowled by Avesh Khan went for 20 and the next one bowled by Kuldeep Yadav went for 17. Bishnoi couldn’t stem the tide either.

With 46 runs needed from the last three overs and 36 from 12 balls, one would have thought that the greater cricket nous of the hosts would see them through, but the Afghans kept fighting and throwing punches. The target was 19 from the final over bowled by Mukesh Kumar and Naib took it upon himself to get his team across the line. However, despite a six and a four and a couple of wides, he could only tie the score. But it kickstarted more manic drama.

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