‘Finally match khatam’ – Fans react as India beat Afghanistan in thrilling double Super Over; Completes 3-0 whitewash 

The third T20I between India and Afghanistan will go down as one of the best matches in the history of the shortest format. The encounter became the first men’s T20I to go into a double Super Over. A total of 423 runs were scored from 40 overs and yet the winner was not determined. The first Super Over was also a draw but thanks to Ravi Bishnoi’s brilliant over, India won the second Super Over to whitewash the three-match series.

The home had a horror start after opting to bat first on a surface known for assisting batters. Afghanistan pacer Farid Ahmed threatened Rohit Sharma with the new ball as the right-hander tried to get off the mark for the first time in the series.  The India skipper managed to open his account this time, but he had to witness the top order collapsing at one end.

Ahmad struck twice in his second over to dismiss Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli in successive deliveries. Shivam Dube was the next man to return to the pavilion without making an impact on the scoreboard. With Sanju Samson failing to cement his spot in the World Cup, bagging a golden duck, India were reduced to 22-4 in just 4.3 overs.

Rohit Sharma compensated for his two ducks with a sensational knock

The visitors were just one wicket away to take control of the game, but Rohit and Rinku Singh had some other plans. The duo went on to punish Afghan bowlers in the second half of the first innings. India were 61 for 4 at the half-way mark, but they finished 212-4 after 20 overs. Rohit had a nervy start to his innings, but once found the rhythm, there was no stopping him.

The veteran opener notched up his fifth T20I century (121* off 69 balls)- the highest by any player in the history of the format. His ruthless hitting featured 8 sixes and 11 fours. Rinku, on the other hand, was once again proving why he was called the “Finisher”. The southpaw remained unbeaten on 69 off 39 balls. Both added 190 runs for the fifth wicket.

In reply, the Afghanistan openers got off to a solid start, stitching a 93-run partnership. Both hit half-centuries, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz striking at 156.25. India managed to take three wickets in quick succession, but a crucial fourth-wicket partnership between Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib brought Afghanistan back into the game.

The former Afghan captain scored a brisk 34 off 16 deliveries before getting dismissed in the 17th over. The visitors needed 19 runs off the last over and Naib was their only hope remaining. The right-hander managed to hit a four and a six off Mukesh Kumar as Afghanistan eventually scored 18 runs to level the score. That set the stage for a dramatic Super Over thrillers, in which India emerged victorious.

Here’s how fans reacted: 

https://twitter.com/JohnyBravo183/status/1747676329158537530

Finally match over, brilliant super over bowling by Ravi bishnoi

— Kirkett (@bhaskar_sanu08) January 17, 2024

https://twitter.com/Abdullahs_56/status/1747679028553871502

India jeetegi

— rlkherwa (@rlkherwa) January 17, 2024

https://twitter.com/JCRanwa/status/1747678037406314621

https://twitter.com/Iamsankot/status/1747678013775634824

Thrilling night at Chinnaswamy! Double super over kept us on the edge, but we won the match in style.

— Satya Prakash (@Satya_Prakash08) January 17, 2024

https://twitter.com/GDnarbhakshi/status/1747677992762171770

Finally. Game khattam

— Sameer K. (@Sameer_knl18) January 17, 2024