' I think it was a great call from the skipper...' - Head Coach Rahul Dravid praises Rohit Sharma's decision in 2nd Super Over against Afghanistan

In a back-and-forth contest that witnessed the first-ever occurrence of an international game being determined by a double Super Over, India managed to win with just 11 runs in the second one-over Super Over.

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Mathew K
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Dravid on Rohit Sharma (Source: Twitter)

The head coach of Team India, Rahul Dravid praised Rohit Sharma for opting for Ravi Bishnoi instead of a fast bowler in the second Super Over of the third T20I against Afghanistan in Bangalore on Wednesday. In a back-and-forth contest that witnessed the first-ever occurrence of an international game being determined by a double Super Over, India scored just 11 runs in the second one-over super over.

However, Rohit Sharma chose to entrust leg-spinner Bishnoi with the responsibility of defending the seemingly below-par score. The 23-year-old delivered a stellar performance, taking two wickets in three balls to extinguish Afghanistan's resistance and guide India to a 10-run triumph. During the post-match press conference, Dravid provided insights into the potential rationale behind Bishnoi bowling in the second Super Over.

"I think Rohit went with his gut, he went with a call... I think he felt the spinner had a better chance to take those two wickets. It was one of the games when 11 wasn't probably a huge score and where you know that if they batted those six balls, with the power they had, they probably would've got the 12 runs. You needed to take two wickets. I think it was a great call from the skipper to go with the spinner," said Dravid.

 I thought Bishnoi was brilliant: Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid commended Ravi Bishnoi for maintaining composure and delivering precise lengths, securing two crucial wickets in the second Super Over, ultimately contributing to India's remarkable victory. Despite facing challenges in the initial 20-over game, where he returned figures of 0/38 in four overs, the leg-spinner displayed remarkable resilience to outsmart the Afghanistan batters during the additional period.

"He could've gone for two sixes but I thought Bishnoi was brilliant because he bowled two superb balls. He pulled the length back... if the length had gone slightly fuller, the way they were batting, it would've gone for a six on this small ground. I think it was a really good gut call from Rohit to go for the wickets and be more positive rather than probably a safer option which people would've expected," said Dravid.

Rahul Dravid Rohit Sharma