'Simply Outstanding' - Netizens go berserk as Rohit Sharma smashes record-breaking fifth T20I ton to light up Chinnaswamy

India and Afghanistan faced off in the third and final T20I of their ongoing series at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Wednesday, January 17. The Men in Blue came into the clash after already having clinched the series as they won the first two T20Is.

As Afghanistan came into the third T20I looking for a win, the side got off to a brilliant start with the ball, as they had the Indian top-order perplexed. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was sent packing for just four runs, with Virat Kohli and Sanju Samson not managing to add any runs on the board.

Looking towards a bleak total in the first innings, it was the resilience of skipper Rohit Sharma that propelled the hosts to a good total. Pulling India out of a dire situation, Rohit amassed 121* runs in 69 deliveries. The skipper’s knock, along with Rinku Singh adding 69* runs on the board, helped the hosts post a massive total of 212 runs on the board in the first innings. 

After getting dismissed for a duck in the first two T20Is of the series, Rohit Sharma pulled off a miraculous comeback and came into his own. The skipper’s knock could be good news for the fans with the T20 World Cup 2024 looming on the horizon.

Afghanistan hope to get a consolation win

The three-game series has already slipped from Afghanistan’s grasp; the side lost the first two matches and, with it, the series as well. However, the Ibrahim Zadran-led side will hope for a miraculous performance with the bat in the second innings as they aim to chase down a target of 213 runs in the third T20I against India.

It is worth noting that a win would only prove to be consolation for the side after already having lost the series, and it could be interesting to see how they fare against India’s bowling attack.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to Rohit Sharma’s mammoth knock: