It is not often that a spinner is backed in a Super Over but Rohit Sharma had faith in young leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi after the hosts scored 11 runs in the second Super Over against Afghanistan at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on Wednesday.
Bishnoi admitted he was a bit nervous but at the same time he was confident of getting the job done. The left-spinner dismissed Mohammad Nabi on the first ball he bowled and then also accounted for Rahmanullah Gurbaz on the third ball of the over.
Earlier in the match, Bishnoi conceded 38 runs in his quota of four overs but went wicketless.
Bishnoi said while talking to the broadcasters after the game, “The pressure was there, the heartbeat was racing, but I was confident about getting the job done. I was told by the captain that I’ll bowl – I knew it wouldn’t be easy for them if I bowl back of the length ball, it would be tough to smash on the back-foot. It gives a lot of pleasure to defend during the super overs. I’m happy with the way the ball is leaving my hand. My only thought is to ensure that the batter doesn’t get himself used to only one type of delivery, I’ve worked on my leg-spin in the nets and at the domestic levels.”
Meanwhile, India scored 11 runs in the second Super Over after Rohit Sharma smashed a four and a six on the first two balls. But Rinku Singh was caught behind whereas Rohit Sharma was run out on the fourth and fifth ball respectively.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma scored his fifth T20I century, scoring a majestic knock of 121 runs whereas Rinku Singh scored a brilliant knock of 69 runs.
India will now take on England in a five-match Test series, starting on 25th January at Hyderabad.