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India vs Afghanistan 2024 Cricket

'Better script than Salaar' - Fans react as India wins thrilling double Super Over against Afghanistan in 3rd T20I

Rohit became the first player to score five centuries in the shortest format. Overcoming a nervy start, the right-hander went on to smash an unbeaten 121 off just 69 balls including 11 fours and 8 sixes.

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Mathew K
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India (Source: Twitter)

India (Source: Twitter)

Team India have successfully completed their last assignment ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. They whitewashed the three-match T20I home series against Afghanistan at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday. In a dramatic double Super Over thriller, both teams put in impressive performances but the day belonged to Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh.

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After India opted to bat first at a venue known as batting paradise, fans expected a commanding performance from their top order. However, they had a conflicting display as the Indian batters faltered in the initial five overs. Afghanistan pacer Fareed Ahmad was on fire right from the start and he rid of Yashasvi Jaiswal in the third over. 

The very next ball he silenced the Chinnaswamy crowd by removing Virat Kohli for a golden duck. The left-arm pacer gave skipper Rohit Sharma a tough time in the first over, but he managed to stay at the crease. Shivam Dube had a bad day at the office today as the southpaw, who scored half-centuries in the first two matches, failed to put up a show.

Ahmed claimed his third wicket in Sanju Samson to give his side another lead and reduced the visitors to 22-4 in just 4.3 overs. The wicketkeeper batter failed to capitalise on his only chance this series and now his World Cup spot is under serious threat. With Rinku Singh joining captain Rohit in the middle, India slowly got back on track. India were 61 for 4 at the halfway mark, but both, especially the opening batting, shifted their gear up.

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Rohit Sharma scripts history with a sensational knock 

Rohit became the first player to score five centuries in the shortest format. Overcoming a nervy start, the right-hander went on to smash an unbeaten 121 off just 69 balls including 11 fours and 8 sixes. Meanwhile, Rinku was doing his job at the other end, scoring 69 off 39 balls with 2 fours and 6 sixes. India made a huge total of 212-4 in 20 overs due to the devastating innings of both of them. 

In reply, the Afghanistan openers got off to a solid start, with both of them scoring half-centuries. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was aggressive as he struck at 156.25 while stitching a partnership of 93 runs. India managed to take the control back by three quick wickets. However, Mohammad Nabi and Gulbadin Naib brought the visitors back into the game with a crucial partnership. 

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Nabi scored a brisk 34 off 16 deliveries before getting dismissed in the 17th over. With 19 off needed in the final over, Naib hit a six and a four of Mukesh Kumar and eventually helped his team to make 18 runs and level India's score. The match entered the Super Over and Afghanistan, batting first, scored 16 runs.

India scored that many runs and pushed the game into another one-over contest. This time the home team batted first and could only score 11 runs. However, a Ravi Bishnoi (two wickets from the first three balls) masterclass gave India a crushing 10-run victory.

Here's how fans reacted: 

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