In a captivating display of cricket, India and Afghanistan defied the notion that dead rubbers are dull or inconsequential. The T20 International (T20I) clash between the two teams produced one of the most thrilling finishes ever, culminating in a historic double Super Over – a first in the history of international cricket. Despite both sides posting identical scores of 212 in their allotted 20 overs and an additional 16 in the initial Super Over, a winner couldn’t be determined. The deadlock led to the unprecedented scenario of a second Super Over, where India emerged victorious after a dramatic and somewhat controversial sequence of events.
Here’s a breakdown of the nuances surrounding the double Super Over rule:
1. Different Bowler for the Second Super Over
The bowler who delivered the first Super Over is ineligible to bowl in the second one. This rule led Afghanistan to turn to Fareed Ahmed after Azmatullah Omarzai and Mukesh Kumar had bowled in the initial Super Over.
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2. Batting Switch
The team batting first in the designated 20 overs must bat second in the Super Over, and vice versa. In this case, Afghanistan batted first in the Super Over after matching India’s score in the regular innings, while India batted second in both Super Overs.
3. Batter Eligibility
According to MCC laws, a batter dismissed in the first Super Over cannot bat in the second. Teams finalize a list of batters before the Super Over, and a batter listed for the first but not dismissed remains eligible. In the case of India, Sanju Samson replaced Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Rinku Singh batted in the second Super Over after replacing Rohit Sharma.
4. Retired ‘Out’ vs. Retired
Confusion arose when Rohit Sharma batted in the second Super Over despite being marked as ‘retired out’ in the first. The distinction lies in the fact that a batter retired can bat again, while a batter retired ‘out’ cannot. The circumstances surrounding Rohit’s participation remain unclear.
5.Third Super Over
In the rare event of a tie in the second Super Over, a third Super Over would be conducted. Cricket enthusiasts are yet to witness a triple Super Over, but with the sport’s rapid evolution, it remains a possibility.
The enthralling encounter between India and Afghanistan, featuring a double Super Over, adds another remarkable chapter to the ever-evolving narrative of cricket’s unpredictability.
