The cricketing world witnessed a rare and thrilling spectacle on January 17, 2024, as the T20 International between India and Afghanistan in Bengaluru concluded with not one but two Super Overs. This marked only the second instance in the history of T20 cricket where a match saw the drama of double Super Overs. Let’s delve into these rare occurrences:
India vs Afghanistan in Bengaluru | January 17, 2024: In a high-stakes encounter, both teams scored 212 runs in their allotted 20 overs. The first Super Over unfolded with India’s Mukesh Kumar bowling and conceding 16 runs while claiming the wicket of Gulbadin Naib. India’s response, led by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma, mirrored Afghanistan’s score of 16, setting the stage for another Super Over.
Controversy ensued as Rohit Sharma, having retired himself out in the first Super Over, came back to bat. Despite the debate, India managed only 11 runs, and Afghanistan needed 12 to win. However, Ravi Bishnoi’s exceptional bowling performance, taking two wickets and conceding just one run, secured India’s victory. This historic match marked the second instance of a double Super Over in T20I history.
Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab | IPL 2020: The first-ever occurrence of a double Super Over took place during the IPL 2020 clash between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab in Dubai on October 18, 2020. Both teams scored 176 runs, leading to the unprecedented drama.
In the first Super Over, Jasprit Bumrah showcased his brilliance, restricting Kings XI Punjab to five runs while claiming two wickets. However, Mohammed Shami’s stellar performance limited Mumbai Indians to 5/1, prompting the match into a second Super Over.
In the dramatic finale, Mumbai scored 11 runs, setting a target of 12 for Kings XI Punjab. Mayank Agarwal and Chris Gayle delivered a thrilling chase, securing victory with two deliveries to spare. This historic encounter etched its name in cricketing lore as the first-ever double Super Over.
