The Bengaluru crowd got themselves a treat of a performance as Team India skipper Rohit Sharma fired his side to a competitive total despite of a top order meltdown in the 3rd T20I against Afghanistan on January 17.
Losing four of their wickets in the first 5 overs of the powerplay itself, India saw Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson being sent back to the pavilion very cheaply. Virat Kohli, who was just 6 runs away from getting to 12,000 runs in T20 cricket, saw himself getting out for a golden duck in front of his RCB home crowd.
When the team saw the innings going towards a paltry total, it was skipper Rohit Sharma who led by example and made amends on the night after what was a horrible return to his T20 career in the first 2 T20Is.
HATS OFF ROHIT SHARMA…!!!!
121* (69) with 11 fours and 8 sixes – India were 22/4 at one stage, but Rohit said I’ll lead from the front. A knock to remember by Rohit, carnage by the Hitman. pic.twitter.com/H2PuRxJaiE
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) January 17, 2024
Rohit’s blazing 121* came as a blessing in disguise for the Men in Blue which kept the scoreboard ticking till the end. Scoring 11 fours and 8 sixes on the night, Rohit Sharma left the Afghanistan bowlers gasping for air in Bengaluru as the visitors’ short ball strategy failed in front of the king of the pull shot.
Rinku Singh, who came in at number 6, also contributed with a fiery half century and gave the Hitman an aggressive company.
Seeking a series whitewash, Rohit Sharma looked right in form in order to match MS Dhoni’s T20 Captaincy record for most wins as Indian captain.
Also Read: WATCH: Rohit Sharma’s Hilarious Chat With Umpire Caught On Mic During IND vs AFG 3rd T20I