Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan (image Credits: Twitter)

Former Indian pacer Zaheer Khan commended Rohit Sharma’s decision to give Ravi Bishnoi the second super over during the third T20I against Afghanistan. Zaheer Khan described it as a smart and brave move, adding that the team management deserves praise for it.

Ravi Bishnoi played a crucial role by defending a target of 12 in the second Super Over at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, January 17. He dismissed Mohammad Nabi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz in three balls, contributing to India’s successful outcome.

Have To Back Your Instincts And Thinking – Zaheer Khan

During a discussion on Colors Cineplex, Zaheer Khan shared his views on Ravi Bishnoi being chosen for the second Super Over. Zaheer also noted that the Indian team couldn’t capitalize fully with the bat despite starting positively with a six.

“I believe it was a smart and brave decision because you don’t have that much time in these situations. You have to back your instincts and thinking. So whoever was part of that think-tank, you need to praise them for sure,” Zaheer said.

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“The second Super Over started very well, (India) started with a six. So it seemed like India would bat Afghanistan out, but that didn’t happen. They lost two wickets and didn’t even play the entire six balls,” he added.

Rohit Sharma scored 11 runs off the first three balls of the second super over. However, the home team lost two wickets in the next two deliveries. Rinku Singh was dismissed for a duck on the fourth ball, while Rohit was run out at the striker’s end while attempting a bye.

The Bowlers Make Mistakes Due To The High Pressure – Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan acknowledged the challenging task of defending a low target of 11 runs and stated that batters often capitalize on bowlers’ mistakes.

“After that, you had to take a big decision, about who would bowl. So that decision was taken very well because batters generally score 12 runs easily as the bowler makes mistakes due to the pressure on him,” Zaheer stated.

Following identical scores in both innings and a tied first super over, the third match proceeded to the second super over. The Indian team management had to choose between Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan, as Mukesh Kumar was ineligible to bowl again in the match.

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Need To Praise Ravi Bishnoi As Well – Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan praised Ravi Bishnoi for delivering a match-winning over and picking up two crucial wickets in a high-pressure situation.

“Ravi Bishnoi came there and the way he started and picked up two wickets, you need to praise him as well, because he was bowling under pressure in a Super Over. He was oozing confidence. He was looking extremely calm. So that was one very good thing and secondly, the entire think-tank for taking that decision,” Zaheer concluded.

In the second Super Over, the young leg-spinner provided a breakthrough by dismissing Mohammad Nabi on the first ball. He then got Rahmanullah Gurbaz on the third ball of the over. The home team completed a 3-0 whitewash against Afghanistan.

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Saikrishna Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor has been working since September 2022.