Shubman Gill gave Rohit a treat he would like to forget, a run up mix up that sent Rohit back to pavilion. In a much-anticipated return to the T20I arena, Rohit Sharma, the seasoned opener, faced the crease for Team India, marking his first appearance since the heart-wrenching exit in the 2022 World Cup. Leading the squad sans Virat Kohli, Rohit took charge in his first T20I after a 14-month hiatus, partnering with the dynamic Shubman Gill in the series opener against Afghanistan at Mohali.
The match took an unexpected turn when, after a dot ball in Fazalhaq Farooqi’s over, Rohit attempted a quick single, catching Gill off guard. The ensuing mix-up led to a heated exchange, with Rohit expressing his frustration at Gill’s oversight.
Rohit Sharma Shrugs Run out Mix up with Shubman Gill with a smile
Addressing the post-match presentation, Rohit Sharma, with a smile, reflected on the incident, stating, “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.”
Despite Rohit’s early dismissal with a two-ball duck, India secured a convincing victory over Afghanistan, with all-rounder Shivam Dube stealing the spotlight with a brisk 60 off 40 balls. Dube’s match-winning performance earned him the Player of the Match accolade. Notable contributions from Shubman Gill, Tilak Varma, and Jitesh Sharma further solidified India’s dominance.
Rohit Sharma, acknowledging the positives, highlighted the team’s experimentation with different strategies, emphasizing the importance of challenging themselves in unfamiliar situations. As the squad looks forward, Rohit expressed a commitment to evolving while maintaining a winning mindset.