India’s head coach Rahul Dravid commended Rohit Sharma’s strategic decision-making during the dramatic third T20I against Afghanistan. Dravid likened Rohit’s call to send Rinku Singh for the last ball of the first Super Over to the sharp thinking of Ravichandran Ashwin. The situation echoed Ashwin’s move in the 2022 IPL game between Rajasthan Royals and Lucknow Super Giants, where he took himself out to bring in a better runner.
“When Rohit Sharma retired, that was Ashwin-level thinking. Taking himself out was Ashwin-level thinking,” said Rahul Dravid was quoted as saying by NDTV.
However, the move sparked confusion, and even Afghanistan’s head coach, Jonathan Trott, expressed uncertainty about Rohit’s status – whether he retired hurt or out. Trott also highlighted the evolving nature of cricket rules and guidelines.
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“I have no idea (whether Rohit retired hurt or out). Has there ever been two Super Overs? That’s what I am trying to say. We keep setting these new rules. What I am trying to say is we kept testing the rules, we kept testing the guidelines,” Jonathon Trott said.
Did Rohit Sharma retire out or retire hurt yesterday against Afghanistan?🤔
The match officials in Bengaluru have not issued a clarification so far 👉 https://t.co/uP4hunuqL3 #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/ABuphgiBEI
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) January 18, 2024
Rohit Sharma faced criticism for walking out again with Rinku in the second Super Over. According to the rules, a batter retired out and couldn’t bat again in another Super Over. However, a match official clarified that the batter could bat if the opposition didn’t object.
Afghanistan’s coach expressed disappointment in the lack of proper communication regarding the use of bowlers in Super Overs. He mentioned their desire to have Azmatullah Omarzai bowl in the second Super Over, but Fareed Ahmad, who bowled the first, had to continue due to the unclear rules.
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“It was not communicated (the rule). We wanted Azmat to bowl the second over again, but Fareed (Ahmad) bowled a great over. But these things will be explained and done in writing in the future. If those are the rules, that’s great. I just think we had a good game, and I don’t think that (rules) should be the talking point,” Jonathon Trott added.
