After a hiatus lasting 14 months, Rohit Sharma marked his return to the shortest format of the game for India in the first T20I against Afghanistan on Thursday, January 11, in Mohali. Despite India winning the match comfortably by six wickets, Rohit’s innings with the bat was far from memorable. Following a disciplined bowling performance by the Indian team that restricted Afghanistan to 158/5 on a decent batting track, Rohit walked out to open alongside Shubman Gill.
Fans were eagerly anticipating the ‘Hitman’ to showcase his prowess, but unfortunately, his time at the crease was short-lived. On the second ball of the innings, Rohit advanced down the pitch to play a shot from Fazalhaq Farooqi, only to drill it to his counterpart, Ibrahim Zadran, at mid-off. Rohit initiated a single, but Gill was caught off guard. In the end, both batsmen found themselves at the non-striker’s end as the seasoned campaigner had to depart, run-out for a duck.
Rohit displayed visible disappointment after the run-out, venting frustration at Gill. In the post-match presentation, the 36-year-old addressed the incident, attributing it to the inherent frustrations of not being able to contribute with the bat. He expressed his desire for Gill to stay at the crease longer and commended his cameo of 23 off 12 balls.
WATCH – Rohit Sharma’s T20I Comeback Marred By Run-Out Drama: Mix-Up With Gill Ends In Duck
“These things happen (on the run-out). When it happens, you feel frustrated, you want to be out there and score runs for the team. Everything will not go your way. We won the game, that’s more important. I wanted Gill to carry on, unfortunately, got out after playing a very good little innings,” remarked Rohit Sharma.
‘You feel frustrated’: Rohit Sharma on yelling at Shubman Gill on run out mix up
“It happens…I wanted Gill to carry on,” says Rohit Sharma on his run-outhttps://t.co/4ZMDA2zhRs
— Gulf News (@gulf_news) January 12, 2024
Rohit also highlighted the positives from the opening encounter, praising Shivam Dube, Jitesh Sharma, and Rinku Singh. He discussed the decision to bowl Washington Sundar in the penultimate over of the first innings, emphasizing the team’s intent to challenge themselves in unfamiliar situations.
“Lot of positives. Shivam Dube, the way Jitesh batted, Tilak as well and then Rinku is in good form as well. We want to keep trying different things – try and bowl our bowlers in different situations of the game, like you saw today, Washi bowled the 19th over. We want to challenge ourselves in the areas we are slightly uncomfortable with and the bowlers are not used to that. We want to try and do that. Keeping all of those things in mind, we’ll try and do whatever is possible but not at the cost of the game,” Rohit Sharma elaborated.
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Dube emerged as the batting star for India, finishing unbeaten on 60 off just 40 balls, with five fours and two massive sixes in his innings. Jitesh (31 off 20 balls) and Rinku (16* off 9 balls) contributed valuable knocks as India secured a six-wicket victory with 15 balls to spare. With the ball, Axar Patel and Mukesh Kumar claimed two wickets each, while Dube added a solitary wicket. India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the second game set to be played on Sunday, January 14, in Indore.
