MATCH STORIES
Follow UsIt wasn’t a happy return for Rohit Sharma to T20I cricket facing Afghanistan in the first T20I in Mohali. Playing for the first time since the 2022 T20 World Cup, Rohit was out for a duck in the first over of India’s run chase.
Rohit smashed the second ball of India’s innings down the ground. However, the shot was stopped by the opposition skipper, Ibrahim Zadran in a stupendous fielding effort. While Zadran gathered the ball and shot the throw, Rohit had already set off for a quick single.
Shubman Gill, Rohit’s opening partner, was ball-watching. He was waiting for the ball to get past the fielder. Consequently, both batters were stranded at the same end. Rohit was eventually run out for a duck to his name.
The skipper didn’t keep any strangles on his emotions. Rohit had a word with Gill pointing out that he could have made it had he trusted the call. A few overs later, Gill was stumped for 23 off 12 balls as India suffered a modest start in their run chase.
In an unfortunate coincidence, Rahul Dravid was the last Indian captain to be run out in any format, way back in 2004. That way, Rohit has given a tribute to the current coach who is celebrating his 51st birthday today.
This is Rohit’s 11th duck in T20Is, the most for an Indian batter. The next on the list is KL Rahul with five ducks. The skipper now averages only 23.4 in T20Is since 2022.
Earlier, Rohit also dropped a tough catch at short cover, culminating a poor comeback game for him.
