In the third T20I in Bangalore, Rohit Sharma scored three vital runs to secure India’s historic victory over Afghanistan. Until it ends, it’s not over. Following Gulbadin Naib’s late burst, Rohit Sharma’s century, which set a new record, ensured that India and Afghanistan went above and beyond to determine a winner on Wednesday. The fate of the high-scoring match was determined by not one, but two Super Overs, giving the just finished Third Twenty20 International between India and Afghanistan in Bengaluru more significance than a routine dead rubber for the biassed audience.

The legendary player for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) returned home for the third and final match, where he achieved his first-ever golden duck in Twenty20 Internationals. At the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, starter Yashasvi Jaiswal left the game at four. Meanwhile, returning player Sanju Samson (0) and in-form Shivam Dube (1) polished off awful performances to put Team India on the cusp of a historic collapse. When India’s back was against the wall, captain Rohit mercilessly battered the spinners from Afghanistan to spearhead the Men in Blue’s comeback.

Rohit breaks the five-century record.

Alongside rookie Rinku Singh (69*), an explosive Rohit pushed India to a formidable score in the RCB’s backyard. The seasoned Indian opener eclipsed Glenn Maxwell and Surykaumar Yadav, who each had four centuries, with his historic fifth century.

In T20I, Rohit and Rinku put up the longest duo stand, with 190 runs for the fifth wicket. India made a tremendous comeback from being 22/4 at one point, smashing 58 runs in the final two overs to post 212/4 in 20 overs. Afghanistan gave up 103 runs in the last 36 deliveries of the Indian innings, with Karim Janat leaking 36 runs in the penultimate over. As the captain, Rohit amassed the fourth-highest individual score by an Indian hitter in T20I with 121 off 69 balls.

Afghanistan performed admirably, punching above its weight in the dead rubber. Gulbadin Naib, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and captain Ibrahim Zadran all smashed scorching half-centuries. Mohammad Nabi’s significant cameo helped the Giant Killers reach 167/4 in 17 overs. Avesh Khan was blasted for 17 runs in the 19th over after pacer Mukesh Kumar went for 10 in the 18th. India needed to defend eighteen runs, so captain Rohit brought in pacer Mukesh to bowl the twentieth over. Gulbadin scored two runs on the last ball of the 20th over, bringing the tie to an 18-run over and forcing a Super Over.

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On the first ball of the Super Over, Mukesh instigated a run-out reminiscent of that of Virat Kohli. Gurbaz was fortunate to hit a four off the third ball, but Nabi ended Afghanistan’s innings with three disputed byes and a six. Rohit spearheaded India’s reply, hitting two straight sixes before toe-ending the over’s penultimate delivery. Then, Rohit pulled off an extremely unusual move by choosing to leave the pitch to give Rinku, the non-striker, some new legs. The events that ensued only compelled Rohit to come back soon after.

India and Afghanistan tied at 16 runs at the end of the first Super Over after Jaiswal hit a single on the last ball. In the Super Over, India’s take-two saw just 11 runs scored by Rohit and company. After hitting a six to start the scoring, Rohit added a four. India lost Rinku and Rohit to end Round 2 on 11 after managing to steal a single.

At the Chinnaswamy, Rohit rallied his men one last time and executed a brilliant move by letting loose Ravi Bishnoi in the second Super Over. With the first delivery of the match, Bishnoi showed his appreciation for Rohit’s belief by dismissing Nabi at long off. Then, on the third ball, the former World No. 1 Bishnoi defeated Gurbaz to complete India’s exciting double Super Over victory over Afghanistan. A euphoric eruption filled the stadium. Furthermore, why not? After India and Afghanistan hammered a combined 424 runs on Rohit’s star-studded night, the seemingly dead rubber became the first international match to yield two Super Overs.

SOURCE: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/rohit-sharma-nails-sixes-pulls-off-bishnoi-masterstroke-to-steal-gulbadins-thunder-in-double-super-over-vs-afghanistan-101705511750583.html