Team India captain Rohit Sharma praised Rinku Singh for his outstanding performance against Afghanistan in the third and final T20I on Wednesday, January 17, in Bengaluru.
In a remarkable yet thrilling match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Rohit and Rinku turned the game around for India. Despite a shaky start of 22/4, the duo formed an unbeaten partnership of a record-breaking 190 runs off 95 balls against Afghanistan.
This set a new record for the highest partnership in T20I cricket in Indian cricket. The Indian skipper, who faced criticism for consecutive ducks, answered his critics by scoring his fifth T20I century, making him the only player to do so in the format.
Rinku also complemented Rohit’s aggressive style and played a crucial role in their partnership, as they propelled India to a formidable total of 212/4, with the last five overs alone contributing a staggering 103 runs. Rinku scored an uneaten 69 runs off 39 balls, laced with 2 fours and 6 sixes.
However, the match went to the super over after Afghanistan also finished at 212/6, and the Men in Blue eventually finished off the game in style by winning the double super over by 10 runs and whitewashed the tourists in the three-match T20I series.
Rohit Sharma said at the post-match presentation: “Creating the partnership was important and we (Rinku and I) kept talking to each other to not lose that intent in big games and it was a good game for us to be in, the pressure was there and was important to bat long and deep and not compromise on the intent we want to show.”
He added, “The last couple of series that he played, he showed what he can do with the bat. Very calm and knows his strength pretty well. He is coming off age and doing what is expected of him and he has done really well for India. Augurs well for the team moving forward, wanted someone like that at the backend and we know what he has done in the IPL and he has carried that to the Indian colors as well.”
(With PTI/ANI Inputs)
