Rohit Sharma’s return to T20I action after more than 14 months was a bit bittersweet as the Team India skipper was run out for a duck after facing just two balls during the first T20I against Afghanistan in Mohali. Rohit Sharma, who is usually calm, did not hide his anger on this occasion as Shubman Gill did not heed his call for a quick single.
Rohit Sharma hit a full length ball from Afghan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqui towards the off side and ran for a run, while his opening partner for this match, Shubman Gill was watching the ball and was not leaving the crease at the other end. A terrible mix-up happened when both Rohit and Shubman were at the non-striker’s end, Rahmanullah Gurbaz – the wicketkeeper – blew the bails to dismiss Rohit Sharma.
Rohit Sharma hit a full length ball from Afghan fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqui towards the off side and ran for a run, while his opening partner for this match, Shubman Gill was watching the ball and did not leave the crease at the other end. A terrible mix-up happened when both Rohit and Shubman were at the non-striker’s end, Rahmanullah Gurbaz – the wicketkeeper – blew the bails to dismiss Rohit Sharma.
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Meanwhile, India’s fringe players, led by Shivam Dubey, seized the opportunity to register a six-wicket win over Afghanistan in the first T20I of the three-match series here on Thursday.
A lively partnership of 68 runs in 43 balls between veteran Mohammad Nabi (42 off 27) and young Azmatullah Omarzai (29 off 22) took Afghanistan to 158 for five after India dominated the powerplay.
The total was not enough in good batting conditions as India won comfortably in 17.3 overs.
Dubey (60 not out) and Tilak Verma (26 off 22), playing their first T20I after the Asian Games, stitched a 44-run partnership off 29 balls to provide momentum to the Indian innings after losing the opener inside four overs.
Dubey, who is seen as a back up to injured Hardik Pandya, used his long lever expertly and his outrageous drives on the off side came out. He finished the game in style with a straight six and a four over the fine leg region.
Jitesh Sharma (31 off 20) also performed well, before Rinku Singh (16 not out off 9) along with Dubey led the team to victory.
*With agency input
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Published: Jan 11, 2024, 11:06 pm IST
