On Wednesday at Chinnaswamy in Bengaluru, the encounter between revived India and fighter Afghanistan fueled by the rampaging return of skipper Rohit Sharma back to his Hitman avatar proved to be a classic legend of a match for years to come in cricketing history.
Cricket fans were treated to an absolute rollercoaster at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy stadium, where a riveting encounter between India and Afghanistan unfolded, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. The game, which witnessed a whopping 424 runs in just 40 overs, ultimately came down to the drama of not one but two Super Overs , a rare treat for cricket fans who only were fortunate to watch such a treat in an IPL game in Dubai comprising Mumbai Indians and Punjab Super Kings in 2020 .
Rohit Sharma’s heroic knock and Virat Kohli’s acrobatics in the field
After successive ducks in the first 2 T20Is , Skipper Rohit Sharma who was in the news for definitely not performing clearly needed a big score and with the team under pressure, it provided the skipper with an opportunity to make a statement. And what a statement he did make.
In the first white-ball game since that 2023 final where he batted beyond two deliveries, Rohit Sharma unfurled his risk-reward game that came to define him and typify India’s campaign at that marquee tournament. Any doubts regarding his utility to the T20 side in a World Cup year was brazenly quashed over the course of the first two hours of the game.
As the innings approached the business end, it appeared like Afghanistan involuntarily surrendered to the whims of Rohit Sharma as he turbo-charged his way through once he got to a 41-ball 50. Any delivery even resembling a short ball was smashed while fuller ones were dealt with, with minimal movement of the feet.
As is his wont in the shorter formats, Rohit Sharma punished the opposition for not getting rid of him early by shifting gears at break-neck pace. After getting 50 off 41, he reached the three-figure mark – the first batter to five in T20Is – off the next 23 balls and ended with 121 runs not out in just 69 deliveries inclusive of 11 fours and 8 towering sixes of which one hit at 98 mts that touched the roof of Chinnaswamy.
This terrific innings was a remiscent of Rohit’s first double ton in ODI’s on the same ground vs Australia in 2013 and he proved after 11 years that at the ripe age of 36, the old wine just gets better in terms of stroke making and was instrumental in stitching the record 190 runs partnership with new comer Rinku Singh.
With Afghanistan well in charge of the chase another youngster aged 35 in the form of Virat Kohli with his fitness awed everyone with an valiant attempt to save 5 runs while fielding before running 38 mts on the ground to take a catch which dismissed Najibullah Zadran.
This made Pragyan Ojha, former Indian left spinner feel that the duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli still have a lot to give to Indian cricket in T20I format and would be instrumental in India’s quest to elusive 2024 ICC Trophy in June.
Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli are so valuable for India- Pragyan Ojha
Pragyan Ojha has said that Rohit Sharma’s knock in the third T20I between India and Afghanistan shows his and Virat Kohli’s value for the Men in Blue.
Rohit smashed an unbeaten 121 off 69 in India’s total of 212/4 in the final T20I in Bengaluru on Wednesday, January 17. Although the main game and the first Super Over ended in a tie, the hosts eventually won the contest in the second Super Over to complete a 3-0 series clean-sweep.
During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Ojha was effusive in his praise for Rohit Sharma for playing as per the demands of the situation, explaining:
“The situation was grim. When he started, he knew they were bowling well, they were bowling good lengths, so he gave them respect. However, after that, the way he kept driving the game, he tactfully took every step,”
“It shows why Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are so valuable for this team. It’s very important not only for you to play in such situations but also to take the youngsters along with you,” the former India spinner added.
Rohit smoked 11 fours and eight sixes during his unbeaten 121-run effort. Apart from his century in the main game, he contributed 24 of India’s 27 runs in the two Super Overs.
Pragyan Ojha on Rohit’s 190 run record partnership with Rinku Singh
Pragyan Ojha lauded Rohit Sharma for guiding Rinku Singh (69* off 39) during their partnership, elaborating:
“We are talking about Rohit but Rinku also showed maturity. Their understanding was fantastic. The calmness was maintained because Rohit Sharma was there in the middle and managing things,”
“In matches going ahead, you will see such contributions from Virat Kohli and Rohit, who are the senior members, and such things are being expected from them.”
With the next big ICC white ball tournament set to take place in June 2024 in the T20I format, India with the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to its rankings will have a quest one more time towards the elusive trophy which would be the fitting tribute to the services of this batting legends duo over the years for India.