The atmosphere at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was charged with unparalleled energy as India staged a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the 3rd T20I against Afghanistan. Under the immense pressure of a stumbling start at 22/4, the Indian cricket team found its saviors in Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh, who embarked on a remarkable batting display that propelled the hosts to an astonishing total.
The duo showcased their resilience and firepower, building a partnership that will be etched in the annals of cricket. Rohit Sharma, India’s Hitman, lit up the scoreboard with his record-breaking century in what seemed like an impossible situation. The tide turned in favor of the Men in Blue with remarkable momentum, as the pair took the Afghan bowlers to task.
However, the zenith of this cricketing spectacle came in the final moments of the innings. With India at 176/4 and just six balls remaining, medium pacer Karim Janat stepped up to bowl what would become a historic over. Rohit Sharma responded in fine fashion, hammering a four and two sixes, then magnanimously handing over the strike to his partner Rinku Singh. Singh, for his part, did not disappoint. Known for his six-hitting prowess, he seized the moment and launched three consecutive sixes, emphatically breaching the 200-run mark that the ecstatic crowd had been yearning for.
The 20th over culminated with a staggering 36 runs, becoming the joint most expensive over in T20I history and linking Sharma and Singh’s efforts with the iconic similar scoring overs by Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard. In those explosive final moments, patterns of the past were honored while new legends were forged, setting a high bar for future batsmen to aspire to.
Not only did Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh deliver on the day, but they also created a world-record partnership. Amassing an unbeaten 190* runs for the 5th wicket, they toppled the record previously held by Nepal’s Kushal Malla and DS Airee, who had set the previous best just last year.
The scoreboard shone with these new milestones:
Most runs for 5th wicket in T20Is:
– RG Sharma, Rinku Singh – 190* by IND vs AFG in 2024
– Kushal Malla, DS Airee – 145 by NEP vs HK in 2023
– Mark Chapman, James Neesham – 121* by NZ vs PAK in 2023
– Shoaib Malik, Misbah-ul-Haq – 119* by PAK vs AUS in 2007
– Curtis Campher, George Dockrell – 119* by IRE vs SCO in 2022
The Herculean comeback by Sharma and Singh will be discussed for years to come, invoking memories of the valiant strokes and the jaw-dropping awe with which they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. In the face of adversity, they stood tall and unleashed their prowess, showcasing the thrilling unpredictability and the sheer joy that T20 cricket brings to fans around the globe.
As the dust settles after this historic game, one thing is certain: Rohit Sharma and Rinku Singh have secured their place amongst the greats with a display of poise, power, and partnership that will resonate through the ages. The story of this exhilarating encounter will be retold, relived, and revered as a testament to their indomitable spirit and the enthralling saga of the T20 format.
