IND vs AFG, 3rd T20I: India vs Afghanistan, Third Match - Who Said What?

After losing the first two T20Is comprehensively, Afghanistan gave a good account of themselves in the third T20I in Bengaluru on Wednesday, January 17. However, the 'Men in Blue' managed to win the encounter in the second Super Over.

India posted a mammoth 212/4 in their 20 overs, after being reduced to 22/4 inside the PowerPlay. However, Rohit Sharma (121 off 69 balls) and Rinku Singh (69 off 39 balls) forged a remarkable 190-run unbeaten partnership to resurrect the Indian innings and put the team in a position of strength.

In reply, Afghanistan were bolstered by half-centuries from their first three batters, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (50 off 32 balls), skipper Ibrahim Zadran (50 off 41 balls), and Gulbadin Naib (55 not out off 23 balls). Mohammad Nabi also contributed nicely with a 16-ball 34. Naib batted till the end as the game was tied. Mukesh Kumar conceded 18 runs off the last over while defending 19.

In the first Super Over, Afghanistan scored 16 off Mukesh. Azmatullah Omarzai bowled for Afghanistan and India also managed 16 runs. The second Super Over saw India batting first. Fareed Ahmed conceded a six and a four from his first two balls bowled at Rohit. However, he pulled things back nicely as India lost two wickets in five balls with 11 runs on the board. Rohit brought Ravi Bishnoi on to bowl. The move worked wonders as the leg-spinner bagged a couple of wickets in the first three deliveries as Afghanistan could only get one run. With this breathtaking win, the hosts completed a 3-0 whitewash.

Here are the talking points of the match:

1. Rohit Sharma roars back to form

The Indian captain registered a couple of ducks in the first two games but bounced back with a spectacular ton in the final encounter to enthrall the Bengaluru crowd. He hit 11 fours and eight sixes in his innings which helped India get out of a very grim situation.

2. Rinku Singh continues to impress

The young left-handed batter continued his purple patch and showed that he is exceptionally good in the first innings. Coming in to bat at 22/4 in the fifth over must not have been easy but Rinku oozed confidence and hit two fours and six sixes during his stay at the crease.

3. Gulbadin Naib displays his big-hitting skills once again

The 32-year-old didn't get to bat in the first T20I. Afghanistan lost five wickets but Gulbadin didn't walk out to bat. However, in the second T20I, he received a promotion to No. 3 and he came up with a belligerent 57 off 35 balls. Gulbadin put on an even better effort in the third T20I, hitting four fours and as many sixes en route to his innings of 55 off 23 balls. After his last two performances, the right-handed batter should get a long rope at No. 3.

Losing Captain, Ibrahim Zadran, Afghanistan said:

To be honest, happy with the overall performance. We have a lot of positives to take from this series. It'll help us looking ahead to the T20 World Cup. All the boys gave it their best in these three games. We've never played this kind of cricket earlier against the Full Members, especially against India in T20Is. We were excellent in the batting department.

Winning Captain and Player of the Match, Rohit Sharma, India said:

We don't do that in Tests also [having three hits in a day], think it happened once in the IPL (laughs). Creating a partnership was important, kept talking with Rinku to not lose intent. 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. He's coming of age, creates an impression every time he gets an opportunity. In the last 10 innings for India, he's done very well. We've wanted someone who can bat in the back end with a clear mindset. You saw how he's done well in the IPL, he's carried that forward here.

Player of the Series, Shivam Dube (124 runs and two wickets), India said: 

Definitely a wonderful series, you dream of winning this award as an allrounder, happy to have achieved it. We didn't think about the Super Over initially, but it was a great game by both teams. There are many aspects to work on, got to bowl in these three matches, I've learnt many things.