On January 17, 2024, cricket enthusiasts witnessed an exhilarating encounter between the India national cricket team vs Afghanistan national cricket team match scorecard at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This third T20 International (T20I) match of the series not only showcased exceptional talent but also featured a rare and thrilling double Super Over, etching the game into the annals of cricket history.
Match Overview
In this decisive third T20I, India won the toss and elected to bat first, aiming to set a formidable target for Afghanistan. The match unfolded with intense competition, culminating in a tie that led to two Super Overs to determine the winner.
India’s Innings
India’s innings commenced with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma. However, an early setback occurred when Jaiswal was caught by Mohammad Nabi off Fareed Ahmad’s delivery, contributing only 4 runs. Virat Kohli’s departure for a duck further compounded India’s challenges. Despite these early losses, captain Rohit Sharma anchored the innings with an unbeaten 121 runs off 69 balls, featuring 11 fours and 8 sixes. His partnership with Rinku Singh, who scored an undefeated 69 off 39 balls, propelled India to a substantial total of 212/4 in their allotted 20 overs.
Key Highlights:
- Rohit Sharma’s Century: Rohit’s 121* marked his fifth T20I century, a significant achievement especially after two consecutive ducks in the previous matches.
- Crucial Partnership: The unbroken 190-run stand between Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh was instrumental in setting a challenging target for Afghanistan.
India’s Scorecard:
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | c Mohammad Nabi b Fareed Ahmad | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
| Rohit Sharma (c) | Not Out | 121 | 69 | 11 | 8 | 175.36 |
| Virat Kohli | b Fareed Ahmad | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Shivam Dube | c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Azmatullah Omarzai | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16.67 |
| Sanju Samson | c Mohammad Nabi b Fareed Ahmad | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Rinku Singh | Not Out | 69 | 39 | 2 | 6 | 176.92 |
| Extras | 17 | |||||
| Total | (20 overs) | 212/4 |
Bowling Highlights:
- Fareed Ahmad: Stood out with impressive figures of 4-0-20-3, playing a crucial role in the early breakthroughs for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s Response
Chasing a daunting target of 213, Afghanistan’s innings began with openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. The duo established a solid foundation with a 93-run partnership. Gurbaz scored a brisk 50 off 32 balls, including 4 fours and 2 sixes, while Zadran contributed 50 off 41 balls, anchoring the innings. The middle order saw a remarkable performance from Gulbadin Naib, who smashed an unbeaten 55 off just 23 balls, featuring 4 fours and 4 sixes. His aggressive batting in the death overs brought Afghanistan level with India’s total at 212/6, leading to a Super Over decider.
Key Highlights:
- Openers’ Contribution: The half-centuries from Gurbaz and Zadran provided Afghanistan with a strong start, essential for chasing the steep target.
- Gulbadin Naib’s Heroics: His explosive batting under pressure was instrumental in tying the match, showcasing his prowess in critical situations.
Afghanistan’s Scorecard:
| Batsman | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | c Sanju Samson b Washington Sundar | 50 | 32 | 4 | 2 | 156.25 |
| Ibrahim Zadran (c) | c Sanju Samson b Washington Sundar | 50 | 41 | 4 | 1 | 121.95 |
| Azmatullah Omarzai | c Ravi Bishnoi b Washington Sundar | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Mohammad Nabi | c Avesh Khan b Washington Sundar | 34 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 212.50 |
| Karim Janat | Run Out (Sanju Samson) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
| Najibullah Zadran | c Virat Kohli b Avesh Khan | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
| Gulbadin Naib | Not Out | 55 | 23 | 4 | 4 | 239.13 |
| Sharafuddin Ashraf | Not Out | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 250.00 |
| Extras | 11 | |||||
| Total | (20 overs) | 212/6 |
Super Over Drama: A Rare Double Super Over Encounter
The match’s intensity soared as it progressed to a Super Over, a rare occurrence in international cricket. However, the drama didn’t stop there—it led to a double Super Over, making this one of the most thrilling finishes in T20I history.
First Super Over: A Tie Once Again
- Afghanistan Bats First:
Gulbadin Naib and Mohammad Nabi stepped up for Afghanistan. They scored 16/1 off 6 balls, setting a competitive target for India. - India’s Chase:
Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh came out to bat. They matched Afghanistan’s score, also scoring 16/0 in 6 balls.
Result: The Super Over was tied, leading to a second Super Over.
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Second Super Over: India Clinches Victory
- India Bats First:
Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh batted aggressively. Rohit smashed 2 sixes before retiring out to allow fresh legs on the pitch. India posted 11/2 in 5 balls. - Afghanistan’s Turn:
With 12 runs required, Afghanistan struggled against Ravi Bishnoi’s brilliant spin. They managed only 1 run in 3 balls, losing 2 wickets and the match.
Result: India won the double Super Over thriller.
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Key Player Performances
India:
- Rohit Sharma:
- 121* (69 balls) in regular innings
- 2 sixes in the second Super Over
- Man of the Match for his outstanding performance.
- Rinku Singh:
- 69* (39 balls), supporting Rohit in a crucial partnership.
- Washington Sundar:
- 3 wickets for 18 runs, restricting Afghanistan’s middle order.
Afghanistan:
- Gulbadin Naib:
- 55* (23 balls), an exceptional finish to tie the match.
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz & Ibrahim Zadran:
- Both scored fifties to give Afghanistan a strong start.
- Fareed Ahmad:
- 3/20, dismantling India’s top order early in the game.
Series Outcome & Impact
With this victory, India won the T20I series 3-0 against Afghanistan. This match became historic due to:
- A rare double Super Over finish.
- Rohit Sharma’s fifth T20I century, solidifying his captaincy.
- Afghanistan’s resilience, showing their growth in international cricket.
Shivam Dube was awarded Player of the Series for his all-round contributions across all three matches.
Conclusion
The India national cricket team vs Afghanistan national cricket team match scorecard from this iconic game tells the story of a high-octane battle filled with power-hitting, strategic brilliance, and nerve-wracking Super Overs. It stands out as one of the greatest finishes in T20I history.
With both teams displaying exceptional talent and determination, this match will be remembered for years, and cricket fans eagerly await their next clash on the international stage.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What was the final score of the India vs Afghanistan T20 match?
India scored 212/4 in 20 overs, and Afghanistan matched the total with 212/6, leading to a Super Over.
How did the match end in a double Super Over?
The first Super Over ended in a tie with both teams scoring 16 runs. The match proceeded to a second Super Over, where India won.
Who was the top scorer in the match?
Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten 121 runs off 69 balls, making him the highest run-scorer in the match.
Which Afghanistan player performed best?
Gulbadin Naib was Afghanistan’s top performer, scoring 55 off 23 balls* and playing a crucial role in tying the match.
Who won the Player of the Match award?
Rohit Sharma won the Player of the Match for his unbeaten century and crucial performance in the Super Over.
What were the key moments of the match?
- Rohit Sharma’s 121 runs*
- Gulbadin Naib’s 55 in the chase*
- Double Super Over finish with India winning in the second Super Over
How many wickets did Washington Sundar take?
Washington Sundar took 3 wickets for 18 runs, playing a crucial role in India’s bowling attack.
Who was the best bowler for Afghanistan?
Fareed Ahmad was the standout bowler for Afghanistan, taking 3 wickets for 20 runs.
What was India’s Super Over score?
In the first Super Over, India scored 16/0, and in the second Super Over, they scored 11/2.
What was the final result of the series?
India won the T20I series 3-0, completing a clean sweep against Afghanistan.