Rohit Sharma was run out for 16 runs in the first ODI.
Rohit Sharma was regrettably run out in the opening ODI against Afghanistan, needs to get runs whenever he plays for India, according to former India player Aakash Chopra. He remembered that the former captain of India had previously been removed similarly while batting alongside Virat Kohli.
In the first ODI in Dharamshala on Saturday, June 13, Afghanistan gave India a 25-over goal of 195. The hosts reached the goal with seven wickets and 13 balls remaining, despite Rohit being dismissed for a run-a-ball 16.
Chopra pointed out that Shubman Gill (84* off 66) led the side to victory, just as the chase master used to do on such occasions, and said that Rohit's run-out reminded him of previous mix-ups with Kohli.
"Since you are a one-format player, the chances, which used to come frequently, come occasionally now. So, it's not like you are playing cricket every day for India, and therefore, you need to hit the ground running. He was actually batting decently, but then he got run out.
He got run out for the first time after 2019, and I was reminded of Kohli. He used to get run out with Kohli, and the day he used to get run out with Kohli, Kohli used to go after finishing the match, or the other way round. We have seen this earlier. Here, Shubman Gill finished the match," Chopra said on his YouTube channel.
He stated that the dismissal was a bit tough on Rohit Sharma, and he will not be in a good headspace.
During his knock, Rohit Sharma completed 16000 international runs as an opener, and Chopra highlighted how big of an achievement this was.
"Although Rohit Sharma scored only 16 runs, you need to realize how big an achievement this is. 16,000 international runs as an opener, and he wasn't a natural opener. That makes the story interesting in itself. He was a middle-order batter and was almost about to lose his place there. The captain said, 'Let's try one more time,'" he said.
According to Chopra, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni were crucial in turning Rohit into an opener in Tests and ODIs, respectively.
"MS Dhoni was the captain there, and Duncan Fletcher was the coach. The story as an opener started there. Again, that is just one-day cricket. Even in Test cricket, he was playing in the middle order and was about to get dropped. Virat Kohli was the captain there, and Ravi Shastri was the coach alongside him, and then he again became an opener," Chopra observed.
The second ODI between India and Afghanistan will be played on June 17 in Lucknow.