Cricket is more than just a sport in India—it’s a passion that unites millions. When the India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, the excitement is palpable. One match that stands out in their head-to-head history is the 3rd T20I played on January 17, 2024, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. It was a game that had everything: big hits, dramatic twists, and not one, but two Super Overs to decide the winner. Let’s dive into the story of this unforgettable match, break down the scorecard, and celebrate the moments that made it special.
The Build-Up to the Match
India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard have faced off several times in recent years, with India holding a dominant record in T20 Internationals (T20Is). Going into this match, India had already clinched the series 2-0, but Afghanistan, known for their fighting spirit, were eager to make a mark. The Bengaluru crowd was buzzing, ready for a high-scoring encounter at a venue famous for its batting-friendly pitch.
Afghanistan, a team that has rapidly risen through the ranks of international cricket, brought their A-game. With players like Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, they were ready to challenge the might of India, led by the experienced Rohit Sharma. The stage was set for a classic T20 showdown.
The Match: A Rollercoaster Ride
India’s Innings
India won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that seemed perfect for the Chinnaswamy’s flat track. However, things didn’t go as planned early on. Afghanistan’s bowlers, led by Fareed Ahmad and Azmatullah Omarzai, struck early blows, reducing India to a shaky 22/4 in the powerplay. The top order, including Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, fell cheaply, leaving India in trouble.
Enter Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh. The duo stitched together a record-breaking fifth-wicket partnership of 190 runs, pulling India out of a deep hole. Rohit, who had scored ducks in the first two matches of the series, roared back with a sensational 121 not out off 69 balls, including 11 fours and 8 sixes. His aggressive strokeplay was a treat to watch, blending classic cover drives with lofted shots that cleared the boundary with ease.
Rinku Singh, the young finisher, played the perfect supporting role, scoring a brisk 69 not out off 39 balls. His composure under pressure and ability to find gaps kept the scoreboard ticking. By the end of their 20 overs, India posted a formidable 212/4, setting Afghanistan a daunting target of 213.
Afghanistan’s Innings
Chasing 213 was never going to be easy, but Afghanistan approached the task with confidence. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave them a solid start, putting on 93 runs for the first wicket. Gurbaz was particularly aggressive, smashing 50 off 32 balls, while Zadran anchored the innings with a steady 50 off 41 balls.
India’s bowlers, however, fought back. Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav applied the brakes in the middle overs, picking up crucial wickets. Despite losing momentum, Afghanistan’s middle order, led by Mohammad Nabi (34 off 16) and Gulbadin Naib (55 not out off 23), kept them in the hunt. Naib’s late blitz, including four sixes, brought Afghanistan tantalizingly close.
With 18 runs needed off the final over, the tension was sky-high. Mukesh Kumar, entrusted with the ball, held his nerve initially, but Naib’s big hitting leveled the scores at 212/6. The match ended in a tie, sending the game into a Super Over—a rare and thrilling occurrence in T20 cricket.
The Super Overs: Drama at Its Peak
The first Super Over was a spectacle. India batted first, with Rohit Sharma continuing his rampage, scoring 13 runs alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal. Afghanistan needed 16 to win, and Mohammad Nabi’s quickfire runs, including a controversial deflection off his body, tied the Super Over at 16 each. The crowd was on edge as the match headed into a second Super Over, a first in T20I history.
In the second Super Over, India set a target of 12 runs. Afghanistan, needing a miracle, faltered as Ravi Bishnoi bowled a tight over, conceding just 1 run and taking two wickets, including Gurbaz’s. India clinched the victory, completing a 3-0 series whitewash, but not without a fight from Afghanistan.
Key Performances
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Rohit Sharma (India): His unbeaten 121 off 69 balls earned him the Player of the Match award. His ability to rebuild the innings and dominate in the Super Overs was match-defining.
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Rinku Singh (India): His 69 not out off 39 balls showcased his maturity and cemented his reputation as a reliable finisher.
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Gulbadin Naib (Afghanistan): His explosive 55 not out off 23 balls nearly pulled off a stunning chase.
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Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan): His quick 50 set the tone for Afghanistan’s chase.
The India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard: A Detailed Breakdown
Below is the full scorecard of the India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard 3rd T20I match, capturing every detail of this thrilling encounter.
|
India Innings (20 overs maximum) |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Yashasvi Jaiswal c Gurbaz b Fareed |
4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 66.67 |
|
Rohit Sharma (c) not out |
121 | 69 | 11 | 8 | 175.36 |
|
Virat Kohli c Ibrahim b Omarzai |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Shivam Dube c Nabi b Omarzai |
1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16.67 |
|
Sanju Samson (wk) c Gurbaz b Fareed |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Rinku Singh not out |
69 | 39 | 2 | 6 | 176.92 |
|
Extras (lb 4, w 12, nb 1) |
17 | ||||
|
Total (4 wickets, 20 overs) |
212 |
Did Not Bat: Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar
Fall of Wickets:
-
4/1 (Jaiswal, 1.2 ov)
-
5/2 (Kohli, 1.4 ov)
-
18/3 (Dube, 3.4 ov)
-
22/4 (Samson, 4.3 ov)
Bowling:
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
4 | 0 | 33 | 2 | 8.25 |
|
Fareed Ahmad |
4 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 5.00 |
|
Saleem Safi |
3 | 0 | 43 | 0 | 14.33 |
|
Qais Ahmad |
4 | 0 | 28 | 0 | 7.00 |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
2 | 0 | 29 | 0 | 14.50 |
|
Karim Janat |
3 | 0 | 55 | 0 | 18.33 |
|
Afghanistan Innings (Target: 213 runs from 20 overs) |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) c Jaiswal b Sundar |
50 | 32 | 3 | 4 | 156.25 |
|
Ibrahim Zadran (c) c Kohli b Kuldeep |
50 | 41 | 4 | 1 | 121.95 |
|
Gulbadin Naib not out |
55 | 23 | 4 | 4 | 239.13 |
|
Hazratullah Zazai c Jaiswal b Arshdeep |
0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Mohammad Nabi c Jaiswal b Bishnoi |
34 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 212.50 |
|
Najibullah Zadran c Kohli b Bishnoi |
5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 166.67 |
|
Karim Janat c Rohit b Sundar |
2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
|
Azmatullah Omarzai not out |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
|
Extras (b 4, lb 2, w 4) |
10 | ||||
|
Total (6 wickets, 20 overs) |
212 |
Did Not Bat: Qais Ahmad, Fareed Ahmad, Saleem Safi
Fall of Wickets:
-
93/1 (Gurbaz, 9.5 ov)
-
114/2 (Zadran, 13.2 ov)
-
114/3 (Zazai, 13.4 ov)
-
165/4 (Nabi, 17.1 ov)
-
171/5 (Najibullah, 17.5 ov)
-
182/6 (Janat, 18.5 ov)
Bowling:
|
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mukesh Kumar |
4 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 11.00 |
|
Arshdeep Singh |
4 | 0 | 36 | 1 | 9.00 |
|
Ravi Bishnoi |
4 | 0 | 38 | 2 | 9.50 |
|
Washington Sundar |
3 | 0 | 18 | 2 | 6.00 |
|
Kuldeep Yadav |
4 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 7.75 |
|
Shivam Dube |
1 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 39.00 |
Match Result: Match tied (India won the 2nd Super Over)
Super Over 1:
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India: 16/1 (Rohit Sharma 13, Yashasvi Jaiswal 3)
-
Afghanistan: 16/1 (Mohammad Nabi 10, Rahmanullah Gurbaz 5)
-
Result: Tied
Super Over 2:
-
India: 11/2
-
Afghanistan: 1/2 (Gurbaz 0, Karim Janat 1)
-
Result: India won by 10 runs
Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma (India) – 121* (69) Player of the Series: Shivam Dube (India) – 124 runs, 2 wickets
What Made This Match Special?
This game wasn’t just about runs and wickets—it was a showcase of resilience, skill, and heart. For India, it was a testament to their depth, with Rohit and Rinku stepping up when the chips were down. For Afghanistan, it was proof of their growing stature in world cricket. To take a team like India to two Super Overs is no small feat, and their fearless batting showed they belong on the big stage.
The controversy around Mohammad Nabi’s runs off a deflection added a touch of drama, sparking debates among fans. Yet, it was handled with sportsmanship, and both teams walked away with mutual respect. The match also highlighted the evolving nature of T20 cricket, where no target is too big, and no game is over until the last ball.
Reflections from the Captains
Post-match, Rohit Sharma praised his team’s fighting spirit, saying, “Creating the partnership was important, and we kept talking to each other to not lose that intent in big games.” He also humorously noted the rarity of batting three times in a single match, a nod to his Super Over heroics.
Afghanistan’s captain, Ibrahim Zadran, was proud of his team’s effort: “We are happy with the overall performance. We played good cricket, unfortunately we lost in the Super Over. This experience will help us in the upcoming T20 World Cup.”
Looking Ahead
This match was a milestone for both teams. For India, it was a confidence booster ahead of their Test series against England. For Afghanistan, it was a reminder of their potential as they prepared for a Test against Sri Lanka. The T20 World Cup loomed on the horizon, and both teams took valuable lessons from this epic encounter.
Why This Match Matters to Fans
Whether you’re a young fan just learning the game or a seasoned cricket lover, this match was a perfect blend of drama and skill. It showed why cricket is so beloved—every ball can change the story, and every player can be a hero. For Afghanistan, it was a chance to shine against a cricketing giant. For India, it was a display of their never-say-die attitude.
