India and Afghanistan clashed in the third and final T20I of the series at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on January 17, 2024. India came into this series with a lead of 2-0.
India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and chose to bat first. However, the start that India got was unwanted as Afghanistan bowlers reduced the Men in Blue to 22/4 inside 5 overs.
Then Rohit Sharma took charge and along with Rinku Singh, first consolidated the innings and then teed off in the last few overs. Rinku Singh remained unbeaten on 69 with 6 sixes and 2 fours, while skipper Rohit Sharma hit a record 5th T20I century, making 121* with 11 fours and 8 sixes.
India posted 212/4 in 20 overs in the end.
In response, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran both hit fifties and added 93 runs for the first wicket. Then Mohammad Nabi (34 in 16 balls) and Gulbadin Naib, tried to keep their side in contention.
Virat Kohli might not have scored a run in this encounter, but he was a livewire in the field. He almost took an amazing diving catch and then saved five important runs. He saved a sure six with his acrobatic and athletic fielding.
On the 5th ball of the 17th over, Karim Janat hoicked Washington Sundar’s short ball towards long on. The ball was sailing for a six, but the vigilant Kohli jumped high in the air and caught the ball, but threw it back into the field of play, as he fell on the boundary ropes.
Kohli received huge applause not only from Rohit Sharma and his Indian teammates, but also from the crowd in Bengaluru.
Here is the video:
Gulbadin Naib played a knock of a lifetime, scoring 55* in 23 balls with 4 fours and 4 sixes, and helped Afghanistan tie the match as they scored 212/6.
