Cricket is more than just a game in India—it’s a passion that unites millions. When the India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard, it’s not just a match; it’s a story of grit, talent, and heart-pounding moments. One of the most memorable clashes between these two teams was the 3rd T20I match on January 17, 2024, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This game had everything—big hits, tight bowling, and not one, but two Super Overs to decide the winner. Let’s dive into the details of this epic encounter, break down the scorecard, and relive the moments that made it unforgettable.
The Build-Up to the India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
India, a cricketing powerhouse, has a long history of dominating opponents with their depth of talent and experience. Afghanistan, on the other hand, is a team on the rise, known for their fearless approach and knack for pulling off upsets. Going into this match, India had already won the first two T20Is of the series, leading 2-0. Afghanistan, led by Ibrahim Zadran, was eager to make a statement and avoid a clean sweep. The stage was set at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, a venue famous for high-scoring games and electric crowds.
This wasn’t just another T20 match—it was a chance for Afghanistan to show they could compete with the best, and for India to solidify their dominance. The pitch at Chinnaswamy is typically a batter’s paradise, with short boundaries and a flat surface. Fans were expecting a run-fest, and boy, did they get one!
The Match: A Rollercoaster Ride
The game was a T20 International, meaning each team had 20 overs to score as many runs as possible. Afghanistan won the toss and chose to bat first, hoping to set a challenging total. India, led by Rohit Sharma, was ready to chase down whatever Afghanistan threw at them. What followed was a match that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
Afghanistan’s Innings: A Solid Start
Afghanistan’s batting lineup kicked things off with their explosive opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Gurbaz is known for his aggressive style, and he didn’t disappoint, smashing 50 runs off just 32 balls, including 3 fours and 4 sixes. His partner, Ibrahim Zadran, the captain, played a more measured knock, scoring 50 off 41 balls with 4 fours. Together, they gave Afghanistan a blazing start, reaching 93 for 1 by the 11th over.
But India’s bowlers fought back. Washington Sundar, the off-spinner, got the breakthrough by dismissing Gurbaz in the 11th over. The very next over, Kuldeep Yadav struck twice, removing Ibrahim Zadran and Azmatullah Omarzai in quick succession. Afghanistan’s middle order wobbled, but Mohammad Nabi steadied the ship with a quickfire 34 off 16 balls, including 2 fours and 3 sixes. Contributions from Najibullah Zadran (23 off 21) and Karim Janat (2 off 2) helped Afghanistan post a competitive 212 for 6 in their 20 overs.
India’s bowlers, while expensive at times, did well to pull things back. Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers with 2 wickets, while Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, and Avesh Khan chipped in with one wicket each. The fielding was sharp, with Rinku Singh and Sanju Samson pulling off crucial catches.
India’s Chase: Rohit Sharma Steals the Show
Chasing 213 was no easy task, even on a batting-friendly pitch like Chinnaswamy. India got off to a shaky start, losing Yashasvi Jaiswal (4 off 6) and Virat Kohli (0 off 1) early, leaving them at 22 for 4. The pressure was on, but captain Rohit Sharma was in no mood to back down. After scoring ducks in the first two matches of the series, Rohit roared back with a sensational 121 not out off 69 balls, smashing 11 fours and 8 sixes. His innings was a masterclass in pacing a chase—calm at first, then explosive when it mattered.
Rinku Singh played the perfect supporting role, scoring an unbeaten 69 off 39 balls with 2 fours and 6 sixes. The duo put on a record-breaking 190-run partnership for the fifth wicket, pulling India out of trouble and taking them to 212 for 4 in their 20 overs. Shivam Dube (1 off 1) and Sanju Samson (0 off 1) had brief cameos, but it was the Rohit-Rinku show all the way.
Afghanistan’s bowlers tried everything. Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mohammad Saleem Safi took a wicket each, but they couldn’t stop the onslaught. The match ended in a tie—212 for 6 for Afghanistan, 212 for 4 for India. For the first time in T20I history, a Super Over wasn’t enough to decide the winner, and the game went into a second Super Over.
The Super Overs: Drama at Its Peak
In the first Super Over, India batted first and scored 16 runs, with Rohit Sharma continuing his aggressive form. Afghanistan matched it, scoring 16 as well, thanks to Mohammad Nabi’s quick runs. A controversial moment arose when Nabi took extra runs after a deflection off his body, but the umpires allowed it, adding to the drama.
With the first Super Over tied, the teams went into a second Super Over—a rare occurrence in cricket. India set a target of 12 runs, and Afghanistan could only manage 1 run, with Ravi Bishnoi bowling a brilliant over. Bishnoi dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz (caught by Rinku Singh) and ended the game with a 10-run victory for India. The crowd erupted, and India completed a 3-0 series sweep.
India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard Breaking It Down
Here’s the full scorecard of the match, laid out clearly for easy understanding:
|
Team |
Batter |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan |
Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
50 | 32 | 3 | 4 | 156.25 |
c Samson b Sundar |
|
Ibrahim Zadran (c) |
50 | 41 | 4 | 0 | 121.95 |
c Sharma b Yadav |
|
|
Gulbadin Naib |
7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 100.00 |
c Singh b Khan |
|
|
Azmatullah Omarzai |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
c Singh b Yadav |
|
|
Mohammad Nabi |
34 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 212.50 |
c Jaiswal b Bishnoi |
|
|
Najibullah Zadran |
23 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 109.52 |
c Kohli b Khan |
|
|
Karim Janat |
2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
not out |
|
|
Sharafuddin Ashraf |
5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 250.00 |
not out |
|
|
Extras |
(lb 8, w 32, nb 1) |
41 | |||||
|
Total |
(20 overs, 6 wickets) |
212 |
|
India Bowling |
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mukesh Kumar |
4 | 0 | 44 | 0 | 11.00 | |
|
Avesh Khan |
4 | 0 | 55 | 2 | 13.75 | |
|
Washington Sundar |
3 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 6.00 | |
|
Ravi Bishnoi |
4 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 9.50 | |
|
Kuldeep Yadav |
4 | 0 | 39 | 2 | 9.75 | |
|
Shivam Dube |
1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 10.00 |
|
Team |
Batter |
Runs |
Balls |
4s |
6s |
Strike Rate |
Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
India |
Yashasvi Jaiswal |
4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 66.67 |
c Gurbaz b Farooqi |
|
Rohit Sharma (c) |
121 | 69 | 11 | 8 | 175.36 |
not out |
|
|
Virat Kohli |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
c Ibrahim b Safi |
|
|
Shivam Dube |
1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00 |
c Gurbaz b Safi |
|
|
Sanju Samson (wk) |
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
c Nabi b Farooqi |
|
|
Rinku Singh |
69 | 39 | 2 | 6 | 176.92 |
not out |
|
|
Extras |
(lb 2, w 15) |
17 | |||||
|
Total |
(20 overs, 4 wickets) |
212 |
|
Afghanistan Bowling |
Bowler |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fareed Ahmad Malik |
4 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 5.00 | |
|
Fazalhaq Farooqi |
4 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 5.00 | |
|
Mohammad Saleem Safi |
4 | 0 | 43 | 2 | 10.75 | |
|
Qais Ahmad |
4 | 0 | 55 | 0 | 13.75 | |
|
Sharafuddin Ashraf |
3 | 0 | 47 | 0 | 15.67 | |
|
Mohammad Nabi |
1 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 25.00 |
|
Super Over 1 |
Team |
Runs |
Wickets |
Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
India |
16 | 0 |
Rohit Sharma |
|
|
Afghanistan |
16 | 0 |
Mohammad Nabi |
|
Super Over 2 |
Team |
Runs |
Wickets |
Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
India |
11 | 1 |
Rohit Sharma |
|
|
Afghanistan |
1 | 2 |
Ravi Bishnoi |
Result: India won by 10 runs in the second Super Over.
Player of the Match: Rohit Sharma (121* off 69 balls).
Player of the Series: Shivam Dube (124 runs, 2 wickets).
Key Moments and Performances India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
-
Rohit Sharma’s Redemption: After two ducks in the series, Rohit’s 121* was a statement of intent. His ability to stay calm under pressure and accelerate at the right time was a lesson in T20 batting.
-
Rinku Singh’s Rise: Rinku’s unbeaten 69 showed why he’s considered a future star. His cool-headedness complemented Rohit perfectly.
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Afghanistan’s Fight: Gurbaz and Ibrahim’s aggressive start set the tone, while Nabi’s late blitz ensured Afghanistan posted a challenging total.
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Super Over Drama: The tied match and the first Super Over ending in a tie made this game historic. Ravi Bishnoi’s composure in the second Super Over sealed the deal for India.
-
Chinnaswamy Magic: The high-scoring game lived up to the venue’s reputation, with 424 runs scored in 40 overs.
What Made This Match Special?
This match wasn’t just about the runs or wickets—it was about the spirit of cricket. Afghanistan showed they could go toe-to-toe with a giant like India, pushing them to the brink. For India, it was a test of character, especially after a shaky start. The double Super Over added a layer of drama that fans will talk about for years.
For younger fans, this game was a perfect example of why cricket is so exciting—every ball can change the outcome. For older fans, it was a reminder of how far Afghanistan has come as a cricketing nation. The mutual respect between the teams, evident in post-match comments, added a heartwarming touch to the fierce competition.
Quotes from the Stars India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
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Rohit Sharma (Player of the Match): “I don’t remember when was the last time this happened. Creating the partnership was important, and we kept talking to each other to not lose that intent in big games.”
-
Ibrahim Zadran (Afghanistan Captain): “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.”
-
Shivam Dube (Player of the Series): “As an all-rounder, you always want to be the Player of the Series. We scored a lot of runs on this ground, and it feels really good.”
Looking Ahead
For India, this series win was a confidence booster ahead of their Test series against England and the T20 World Cup later in 2024. For Afghanistan, the series showed they’re no longer just underdogs—they’re a team that can challenge the best. Their next challenge was a one-off Test against Sri Lanka, and they carried plenty of positives from this series.
Why Cricket Fans Love These Matches India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Whether you’re a kid watching your first game or a grandparent who’s seen decades of cricket, matches like India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard are what make the sport special. It’s not just about who wins or loses—it’s about the stories, the emotions, and the moments that stay with you. This game had it all, and it’s a reminder of why cricket is called a game of glorious uncertainties.
