Xtra Time Web Desk: The third T20I in Bengaluru witnessed high drama as the Indian cricket team triumphed over a resilient Afghanistan side after two Super Overs. The focal point of controversy centred around India’s captain, Rohit, who appeared to retire out in the first Super Over but subsequently batted again in the second, raising questions about his eligibility under the ICC’s Men’s T20I playing conditions.
Commenting on Rohit’s decision to retire out to get Rinku Singh as a non-striker, India’s Head Coach compared it with Ravichandran Ashwin. The veteran off spinner made a similar move in an IPL game in 2022, praising it as ” That’s Ashwin-level thinking.”
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The match officials have not clarified whether Rohit retired out or retired hurt. Rules say if a batter is dismissed in a super over, he can’t bat again if the game goes into another super over. But doesn’t retired-out count as a dismissal too? How did Rohit get to bat in second super-over too? Here lies the confusion.
With two runs required off the last ball of the first Super Over, the Indian captain decided to swap himself with Rinku Singh at the non-striker’s end. Yashasvi Jaiswal could only manage a single to take the game into second Super Over.
Rohit walked in to bat again in the second Super Over alongside Rinku Singh. He smashed a six and a four off the first two balls, as the home side gave Afghanistan a target of 12 runs to win. Ravi Bishnoi dashed Afghanistan’s hope with wickets off his first two balls.
Earlier, Rohit displayed aggressive intent to score his 5th T20I ton after missing out on the first two games. He smashed his way to a brilliant 121 not out from 69 balls, which included 11 hits to the fence and 8 sixes.
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