In a thrilling encounter at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, Rohit Sharma’s spectacular fifth T20 century, coupled with Rinku Singh’s impressive half-century, powered India to a commanding total of 212/4 in their allotted 20 overs. The Afghanistan team now faces the daunting task of chasing down 213 runs in just 120 balls.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India encountered early challenges as Afghanistan’s pacers, led by Fareed Ahmad, dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Sanju Samson. Notably, both Kohli and Samson were sent back to the pavilion without scoring, adding an unexpected twist to India’s innings. Shivam Dube also fell victim to Azmatullah Omarzai, departing after contributing just one run.
However, Rohit Sharma, alongside Rinku Singh, orchestrated a remarkable recovery, stabilizing the innings and then unleashing a flurry of strokes against the Afghan bowlers. Sharma’s unbeaten 121, his fifth T20 century and highest individual score, marked a phenomenal performance. Notably, he now stands as the sole player with five centuries in T20 cricket. Singh’s contribution of an undefeated 69 propelled India to a formidable total of 212/4 in 20 overs.
The Indian squad, led by an energized Rohit Sharma, aims to clinch victory in the third and final T20 match against Afghanistan, building on their previous 6-wicket win at Holkar Stadium in Indore on January 14. The match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore is pivotal for India’s pursuit of a series sweep.
As the broadcast is set to air on the Sports 18 network and live-streamed on JioCinema from 7 pm (IST), fans eagerly anticipate an exciting showdown between the two teams. The Indian management may consider making changes to the playing XI, providing opportunities to benched players.
Despite India’s dominance in previous encounters, Afghanistan seeks redemption in the final match. The historical record shows that India has won all five previous T20 matches against Afghanistan, making this encounter crucial for both teams.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium’s pitch, known for favoring batters with its flat and ideal batting conditions, suggests that the team winning the toss should opt to bat first. The weather forecast predicts supportive conditions, with no rain expected and a temperature around 20.8 degrees Celsius, accompanied by 78% humidity.
In addition to the on-field action, the match promises to be a gripping affair with live score updates highlighting key moments. The post-innings break summary showcases India’s impressive batting display, setting the stage for Afghanistan’s challenging run chase.
As the live updates unfold, cricket enthusiasts can witness the unfolding drama, including Ravi Bishnoi’s decisive Super Over performance, securing a thrilling 10-run victory for India.