India vs Afghanistan – Third T20 cricket match – as it happened
All the updates as India beat Afghanistan in a second Super Over to win the T20 series 3-0 in Bengaluru.
This blog is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as India swept the T20 series against Afghanistan on Wednesday, January 17:
This blog is now closed. Thanks for joining us. These were the updates as India swept the T20 series against Afghanistan on Wednesday, January 17:
- India beat Afghanistan in a thrilling final T20 of the three-match series at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
- The match was tied after Afghanistan levelled India’s total of 212 runs. It was tied again after the first Super Over when India tied Afghanistan’s target of 16 runs in the over.
- India finally won in the second Super Over after India scored 11-2, but Afghanistan fell short as they lost two wickets for just one run.
- This was India’s last T20 international before the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the United States and the Caribbean in June.
- Afghanistan will face Sri Lanka away next month and host Ireland in the United Arab Emirates in March before the World Cup.
Thursday’s triple treat
Do join us on Thursday for a triple treat of football as we bring you the pick of the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations with:
- Ivory Coast vs Nigeria at 17:00 GMT
- Palestine vs United Arab Emirates at 17:30 GMT
- Egypt vs Ghana at 20:00 GMT
Until then, it’s goodby from us at Al Jazeera!
That’s all for tonight!
Six innings, 467 runs, 15 wickets, one unforgettable game.
Thank you for joining me in our coverage.
It’s time now for me to go put my hands in a bowl of ice!
Rohit full of praise for Rinku
Rohit has a laugh about his triple innings in a T20 match.
“We don’t [even] do that in Tests,” he said.
He then elaborates on his partnership with Rinku.
“[I] 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.”
India’s captain is full of praise for Rinku.
“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.”
Rohit, Dube pick up awards
Rohit Sharma, unsurprisingly, is today’s player of the match for scoring 121 runs off 69 balls.
Shivam Dube is the player of the series after scoring 124 runs and picking two wickets across the three matches.
‘A lot of positives to take from this series’: Zadran
“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.”
Shades of 2019
If you know, you know.
For those wondering, the teams hit the same number of boundaries too!!! #INDvAFG
— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) January 17, 2024
Bishnoi on that final over
“My heart was beating really fast, but we had a lot of fun,” says Ravi Bishnoi.
“Both me and Avesh were asked to be ready to bowl the [second] Super Over, the moment we saw two right-handers come out, I was given the ball. The idea was to bowl back of length to begin with from a little behind the crease. Feeling good to get confidence defending runs in a Super Over win. It feels great, I’m in good rhythm, will work on trying to get better from here.”
And breathe …
What a fantastic game of cricket!
And to think, this was on paper a dead rubber. From Afghanistan reducing India to 22-4 and Rohit and Rinku’s brilliance to Gulbadin’s power hitting and Virat’s fielding, the game’s narrative beats were Tarantino-esque. It was Thulp Fiction.
And this isn’t even counting the Super Overs. It was all about the margins. Afghanistan would have lost the first one if Nabi and Gurbaz hadn’t taken that extra run. The decision to swap Rinku for Rohit on the last ball felt a tad bit over the top at the time, but after looking at Rohit’s run-out in the second Super Over, it suddenly looks genius.
The result feels almost irrelevant.Today was all about the emotions.
Second Super Over: Afghanistan 1-2
India win!
Gurbaz holes out to Rinku Singh and Bishnoi raises his hands aloft. India have clinched a thriller!
Second Super Over: Afghanistan 1-1
Janat joins the madness in the middle and picks up a run on his first ball.
Second Super Over: Afghanistan 0-1
Bishnoi has Nabi caught out on the boundary. Rinku with the catch!
Nabi and Gurbaz for Afghanistan
Bishnoi to bowl!
Afghanistan need 12 to win
Looks like it’s going to be one of Avesh Khan or Ravi Bishnoi who will bowl for India.
Second Super Over: India 11-2
Sanju Samson is the new man and he plays and misses. They attempt a run and Rohit is run out at the batter’s end by Gurbaz.
Second Super Over: India 11-1
Gurbaz was adamant there was an edge and refers it. A spike is seen on UltraEdge, and Rinku is out!
Second Super Over: India 11-0
Dot ball. Swing and miss.
Second Super Over: India 11-0
One run.
Second Super Over: India 10-0
Rohit goes hard again and gets four.
Second Super Over: India 6-0
Fareed Ahmad is bowling for Afghanistan and is hit straight down the ground for six by Rohit.
Rohit and Rinku for India
Rohit comes out to bat for the third time in this match.
Thriller in Bengaluru!
How important has that extra run by Nabi proved?
Super Over: India 16-1
Jaiswal picks up a single. One more Super Over!
Rinku coming on!
Rohit Sharma is retired out!
Rinku comes on – purely for his running ability. The twists and turns in this game.
Good presence of mind there from India’s captain.
Super Over: India 15-0
Rohit picks up a single.
Two needed from one ball.
Super Over: India 14-0
Rohit with another six!
Low full toss outside off and Rohit picks it up well and smacks it over cover.