In a nail-biting encounter in Bengaluru, the cricketing world witnessed a spectacle as India faced Afghanistan in the third and final T20I game of the series, marking the conclusion of India’s T20I fixtures before the much-anticipated T20 World Cup 2024. Having secured victories in the first two games, India entered the arena with high spirits, aiming to maintain their winning streak and gain momentum ahead of the global tournament.
Opting to bat first, India set a challenging target, posting a formidable 214 runs on the board with the loss of four wickets in their allotted 20 overs. The standout performance of the day came from none other than the charismatic skipper, Rohit Sharma, who played a scintillating innings, scoring a remarkable 121 runs off just 69 balls. Rinku Singh, not to be overshadowed, complemented the captain’s effort with a brisk 69 off 39 balls, contributing significantly to the colossal total.
Afghanistan, however, showcased admirable resilience in their pursuit of the target. The hero of the day for the visiting team was Gulbadin Naib, who played a sensational innings of 55 runs off 23 balls. His remarkable effort not only kept Afghanistan in the game but also led them to level the scores, forcing the clash into a thrilling super over.
In the decisive super over, Afghanistan managed to score 16 runs, setting the stage for an intense showdown. However, the climax of the match was marred by controversy. The Indian bowler, Mukesh, delivered a yorker outside off, and Nabi, the Afghan batter, missed the swing. The ball deflected off Nabi’s pads, resulting in a byes call. Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, expressed vehement dissatisfaction, believing that the extra runs should not have been attempted. Despite the captain’s protests, the Afghan batters completed the byes, adding a couple more runs.
The final ball’s controversy added an unexpected twist to an already intense match, leaving fans and experts debating the fair play aspects of the game. Controversy arose as Rohit Sharma contested the decision to take a bye after a deflection off Nabi’s pads, leading to a heated altercation between Rohit and Nabi.
With the match hanging in the balance, India needed to score 16 runs to secure victory. In reply, India scored the required runs, and the game moved to another super over. However, just before the final ball, when India needed 2 runs off one ball, Rohit Sharma made a strategic move by retiring out to allow Rinku Singh to step in. Rinku, known for his speed, completed the required run, forcing the game into a second super over.
In the second super over, India managed to score 11 runs, setting a challenging target for Afghanistan. The spotlight then shifted to the young sensation, Ravi Bishnoi, who stepped up and picked up both Afghanistan wickets in three balls, securing the win for India in a dramatic fashion.
ALSO READ: IND vs AFG: Watch: Rohit Sharma And Mohammed Nabi Had An Argument On A Stolen Bye
IND vs AFG: Fans Hail Rohit Sharma And Co. After India Beat Afghanistan In The Second Super Over

🫡 This save from King Kohli was so crucial given the context of the game tonight.#INDvAFG #INDvsAFG #TeamIndia #BharatArmy #COTI🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/oy9ipIiJ6F
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) January 17, 2024
This is where we won the match ☝🥱 #INDvsAFG pic.twitter.com/OGUKN0qeAB
— Harshad 𝕏 (@_anxious_one) January 17, 2024
Fans thanking to Rohit Sharma and Jay Shah sir after this wonderful match and this Super Over 🙏
What a match, well played #Hitman #INDvAFG #INDvsAFG #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/GSQ65pStEc
— Ashutosh Srivastava 🇮🇳 (@sri_ashutosh08) January 17, 2024
https://twitter.com/Agrumpycomedian/status/1747678695001907699
https://twitter.com/Minu__99/status/1747678150916730907
Rohit Sharma scored almost 150 today.
17 January will go down as the day when GREATEST batsman of T20 entertained the entire globe. #INDvsAFG pic.twitter.com/JEwZOCmsJR
— ANSHUMAN🚩 (@AvengerReturns) January 17, 2024
https://twitter.com/Alpha_pa1/status/1747679558982393913
https://twitter.com/_zalzala_/status/1747679129783459896