In a remarkable turnaround at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh orchestrated a stunning rescue operation for India in their 3rd T20I clash against Afghanistan. The Indian team, initially reeling at 22/4, witnessed a phenomenal comeback thanks to this dynamic duo.
The game looked bleak for India as early wickets tumbled, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube, and Sanju Samson departing quickly, accumulating only a combined total of 5 runs. This dire situation set the stage for Rohit Sharma, who had been under immense pressure following two consecutive ducks in his prior matches. Sharma, however, rose to the challenge, delivering a magnificent century that displayed his exceptional power-hitting abilities.
Initially cautious, Rohit unleashed his aggressive batting after the halfway point of his innings, dominating the field with a series of boundaries. His relentless assault culminated in a personal best for T20Is, as he notched up an unbeaten 121 from 69 deliveries.
Rinku Singh, whose cricketing stature has seen a significant rise recently, played a vital supporting role. Contributing a swift 69 off 39 balls, Singh and Sharma compiled a record-breaking 190-run stand for the fifth wicket – the highest 5th wicket stand in T20I history and also India's highest-ever partnership in the format.
The partnership transformed the game's dynamics. From a precarious 61/4 after 10 overs, the pair decimated the Afghan bowling attack, amassing an astonishing 151 runs in the final 10 overs and a staggering 103 in the last five. This feat set a new high score for a team in T20s after losing four wickets for less than 25 runs. Their feat looks even better when you account for the 36 runs they managed in the final over - the most any team has ever done in the final over of the innings.
Watch: Rohit Sharma's hilarious banter with umpire caught on stump mic, video goes viral