While Team India took a 1-0 lead in the IND vs AFG ODI series, Rohit Sharma’s return to India colors wasn’t the ideal one.
In a thrilling contest that was reduced to 25 overs per team due to rain, India prevailed by 7 wickets, overcoming the blistering century from Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
Gurbaz blasted 102 runs off 51 balls with the help of eight sixes and as many fours. However, none of his other teammates managed more than 30 runs, which meant Afghanistan ended up getting bowled out for 194.
India got off the blocks quickly as well with a 46-run opening stand between former captain Rohit and current captain Shubman Gill.
But, when Rohit looked set for a big knock, having smacked two fours and one six in the first 15 balls he faced, with the conditions easing down, the 39-year-old unfortunately got run out.
Rohit tapped a delivery from spinner AM Ghazanfar towards Rashid Khan at mid-wicket and set off for a quick single. Gill, incidentally, took one step ahead, but as he was ball-watching, Ghazanfar came right in front of Gill, and the India captain was stuck to the non-striker’s end.
With no chance of Gill going for the run, Rohit decided to backtrack, but he was halfway down the pitch at that moment. Rashid fired a throw to the striker’s end, and Rohit was miles off the stumps when the keeper ran the senior India opener out. Both Rohit and Gill were visibly upset with the run out.
Shubman Gill reveals conversation with Rohit Sharma after run out
Gill anchored India’s chase sublimely with 84* off 66. In the post-match presentation ceremony, Gill was asked whether he had any chat with Rohit about the run out. The Indian captain revealed that Rohit said it was all fine with him. Gill also recalled how the duo was also involved in a run out in 2024 in a T20I against Afghanistan, with Rohit once again being the victim.
Gill said, “I know he saw the replay. He [Rohit] said, ‘No, it’s fine.’ Even in the last match that we played against Afghanistan [in] T20s, he got run out there as well.”
Meanwhile, Rohit’s former India teammate and fast bowler Mohit Sharma gave his observation on this mix-up between the India openers in the IND vs AFG 1st ODI. Mohit pointed out that Gill had taken a start after hearing Rohit’s call but was halted by the interruption of Ghazanfar. Mohit feels had Ghazanfar not hindered Gill’s path, Gill would have been able to complete the run.
“If you see the run out, it was Rohit’s call, but you will see that Shubman had also taken the start, and then AM Ghazanfar got in his way, due to which he could not go ahead. After that, Rohit could also not go back because he had already covered more than half the pitch. It was an error that was not in your hands. If he had not come in the way, then Shubman could have completed the run,” Mohit Sharma said on Cricbuzz.
When and where is 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan?
The IND vs AFG 2nd ODI is scheduled to be played on June 17 in Lucknow.
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