WATCH: Rohit Sharma abuses youngster Shubman Gill after mix-up as he departs for duck in T20I comeback

Rohit Sharma's first T20I innings in 14 months ended with 14 months ended with a duck.

WATCH: Rohit Sharma abuses youngster Shubman Gill after mix-up as he departs for duck in T20I comeback

Rohit Sharma abuses Shubman Gill after getting run out (Image via screengrab from JioCinema)

Rohit Sharma’s return to T20I cricket was one many fans were excited for. Returning after 14 months to the format, fans waited eagerly to see him bat but unfortunately, he was run out after facing only two balls. 

In his 2nd ball, he attempted to play the ball straight down the ground, but it was stopped by the fielder at mid-off. Sharma ran, trying to get a run but Shubman Gill didn’t move and got his captain run out. After being run out, Sharma didn’t hold back his emotions and abused the youngster. Gill went on to score 23 off 11 before getting stumped. 

In the post-match presentation, Rohit Sharma acknowledged the run-out incident, claiming it was frustrating but it happens in the sport. He further added that he was happy with Gill’s short innings but wanted him to bat longer. 

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. 
Rohit Sharma in the post-match interview

Rohit Sharma last played a T20I in November 2022, where India lost to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup. In that match he scored 27 runs, but had batted 28 balls. He and Virat Kohli were rested from the T20I team so that they could focus on the ODI and Test formats. 

India take lead in T20I series against Afghanistan

In the cold weather of Mohali, India and Afghanistan met each other for the first T20 of the series. Winning the toss, Rohit Sharma elected to bowl first. Fielding was difficult as the chilly weather made it tough to field. Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar and Axar Patel put pressure on the openers before Patel got Gurbaaz for 23. The very next over Shivam Dube got Ibrahim Zadran’s wicket. By the end of the 10th over Afghanistan had only 57 runs on board, with 3 wickets gone. Knocks by Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi and Najibullah Zadran ensured they scored 101 runs in the final 10 overs, with a total of 158. 

Shivam Dube
Shivam Dube’s unbeaten 60 off 40 made him man of the match (Image via ESPN)

Chasing 159, India lost Sharma in the 2nd over. Gill scored a quickfire 23 before being dismissed. Shivam Dube and Tilak Varma stitched up a partnership of 44 before Tilak was caught thanks to a screamer by Gulbadin Naib. What followed after the fall of Tilak’s wicket was a show of aggressive cricket by Jitesh Sharma, who scored 30 off 21 balls. Dube also scored 50, with his scoring the winning runs. 

The 2nd T20I will now be played in Indore on 14th January. Virat Kohli will return to the side, after taking a break from the first T20I for personal reasons. Yashasvi Jaiswal sat out of the first match due to a sore groin but could return for the next match. 

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