Historic triumph for Skipper Rohit Sharma as India roars back from collapse to secure series sweep

In a spectacular display of resilience and dominance, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma etched his name in the record books by becoming the first batsman in Twenty20 internationals to achieve the remarkable feat of scoring five centuries.

The third match against Afghanistan witnessed an extraordinary turnaround as Rohit’s blazing innings propelled India to a formidable total of 212-4 after a disastrous top-order collapse.

Opting to bat first, India found themselves reeling at 22-4, with the talismanic Virat Kohli departing for a first-ball duck. However, Rohit Sharma, who surpassed the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Suryakumar Yadav, both with four tons, emerged as the savior.

The skipper’s blistering knock of 121 off 69 balls, accompanied by an unbeaten partnership of 190 with Rinku Singh (69 runs), steered the team out of troubled waters.

The final five overs witnessed a deluge of sixes as India plundered 103 runs, with Rohit and Rinku smashing an astonishing 36 off the last over, including a six off a no-ball. The electrifying display of power-hitting not only resurrected the innings but also left the opposition in awe.

Left-arm quick Fareed Ahmad Malik emerged as a potent force for Afghanistan, claiming figures of 3-20. Malik’s early onslaught saw the dismissals of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kohli, and Sanju Samson, causing a momentary setback for the hosts. However, Rohit Sharma, who had faced disappointment in the previous two games, showcased his class by rebuilding the innings and then launching a ferocious assault on the opposition, registering 11 fours and eight sixes to surpass his previous T20 best of 118.

The large home crowd, initially silenced by Fareed’s impressive bowling, erupted in joy as Rohit and Rinku’s power-hitting exhibition not only secured a victory but also clinched the series after two wins.

This emphatic triumph serves as a perfect crescendo for India, marking their final T20 international before the eagerly anticipated T20 World Cup in June.