Rohit Sharma, leading Team India, experienced a rocky start during the initial matches of the series against Afghanistan. Despite a run-out and a duck in the first two games, Rohit dramatically turned the tables by striking a remarkable century in the third T20I at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium. Teaming up with Rinku Singh, the duo lifted India from a precarious position to a grand total of 212, ensuring India’s victory in a high-voltage double Super Over encounter. This performance not only brought Rohit back into form but also aligned him with MS Dhoni’s record of 41 wins as skipper in T20Is. Rohit’s masterclass innings saw him become the most successful century scorer in T20Is for India, a testament to his skill and intelligent approach to the game, even when India was at 22-4 at one point during their innings.
Meanwhile, a separate incident raised eyebrows during the match’s first Super Over. A ‘controversial run’ involving Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz extended Afghanistan’s score after a throw from Sanju Samson deflected off the batsman. This incident led to a heated exchange between Rohit and Nabi, although the extra runs were eventually deemed legitimate by the umpires. Despite this dispute, India swept the T20I series against Afghanistan following a dramatic second Super Over, where Rohit scored all the crucial runs and Ravi Bishnoi’s impressive bowling clinched the game for the hosts. It was a match buzzing with rivalry, strategy, and remarkable individual performances that contributed to the series sweep.
Former cricketer Aakash Chopra also chimed in regarding the controversial run, questioning the logic behind the complaints raised by the Indian team. He suggested that had it been a World Cup final, no team would have hesitated to take the run, questioning the applicability of the ‘spirit of the game’ in such high-stake scenarios. Rohit Sharma’s feat in the series, along with his spirited captaincy and the team’s ability to adapt under pressure, has not only brought him praises but also validated his place among cricket’s top leaders and performers.