IND vs AFG 3rd T20I: Rohit Sharma lauds Rinku Singh for maturing into a good match finisher for Team India

In a thrilling encounter at iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the third T20I between India and Afghanistan not only saw a remarkable century from skipper Rohit Sharma but also showcased the burgeoning talent of young batting sensation Rinku Singh.

As India secured a 3-0 series victory with a dramatic super-over finish, Rohit Sharma praised the explosive middle-order batter, Rinku Singh, for his composure and crucial contributions at the backend of the innings in the shortest format of the game for Team India.

Rinku Singh's Impactful Performance vs Afghanistan:

Amidst the intensity of the T20 clash, Rinku Singh emerged as a pivotal figure for India, playing a crucial role in steering the team out of a challenging situation. The left-handed batsman showcased his prowess by smashing an unbeaten 69 off 39 balls, forming a formidable partnership with Rohit Sharma. This knock not only demonstrated Rinku's calm demeanour under pressure but also affirmed his ability to deliver when the team needed him the most.

After being four down inside the powerplay, Rohit and Rinku put up an unbeaten 190-run stand for the fifth wicket and helped Team India post a mammoth 212 for the loss of four wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. The duo unleashed their beast mode in the death overs to propel India to a big total.

Rohit Sharma's Appreciation for Rinku Singh:

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, expressed his satisfaction with Rinku Singh's performance, highlighting the significance of having a player of his calibre in the backend of the innings. Rohit commended Rinku for his calm approach and understanding of his strengths.

In recent series, Rinku has consistently displayed his batting prowess, making significant contributions and earning accolades from the captain. "The last couple of series that he played, he showed what he can do with the bat. Very calm and knows his strength pretty well. He is coming of age and doing what is expected of him and he has done really well for India.

"It augurs well for the team moving forward, wanted someone like that at the backend and we know what he has done in the IPL and he has carried that to the Indian colours as well," Rohit said at the post-match presentation.

Rohit Sharma's Memorable T20I Innings vs AFG:

While acknowledging Rinku's impact, Rohit Sharma himself played a memorable innings, scoring an unbeaten 121 off 69 balls. The captain's stellar performance, combined with Rinku's contributions, played a pivotal role in India's victory. Rohit emphasized the importance of partnerships, citing the ongoing communication between him and Rinku to maintain intent in pressure situations.

IND vs AFG 3rd T20I: Dramatic Super-Over Finish

Reflecting on the dramatic finish that required two super-overs to determine the result, Rohit Sharma expressed that such occurrences are rare, with his last memory of batting three times in a single IPL game. The skipper said, "I don't remember when was the last time this happened. I think I batted 3 times in one of the IPL games.

"Creating the partnership was important and we (Rinku and I) kept talking to each other to not lose that intent in big games and it was a good game for us to be in, the pressure was there and was important to bat long and deep and not compromise on the intent we want to show."

Afghanistan skipper Ibrahim Zadran was pleased with his team's effort on the night. "We are happy with the overall performance. We played good cricket, but unfortunately, we lost in the super-over. We got lots of positives from this series and this experience will help us in the upcoming T20 World Cup," he stated.