• Source:JND
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India skipper Rohit Sharma's return to T20I cricket after a 14-month hiatus took an unfortunate turn during the first T20I against Afghanistan in Mohali. After facing only two balls, Rohit was dismissed for a duck in a mix-up with non-striker Shubman Gill.

The dismissal occurred on the second delivery of India's innings while chasing a target of 159. Rohit struck a powerful shot to mid-off, and an impressive effort from Ibrahim Zadran stopped the ball. Rohit, misjudging the situation, went for a run, but Gill was more focused on tracking the ball than responding to the call for a run. Zadran's quick fielding and accurate throw caught Rohit off guard, leading to a run-out.

A visibly upset Rohit expressed his frustration and disappointment with Gill while walking back to the dugout. The early blow added pressure to India's chase.

India, set to chase a target of 159, faced an early setback, increasing the pressure on their innings. Afghanistan had earlier posted a competitive total of 158 for five in 20 overs. Despite India dominating the powerplay and reducing Afghanistan to 57 for three in 10 overs, a stroke-filled 68-run partnership between Mohammad Nabi (42 off 27) and Azmatullah Omarzai (29 off 22) proved crucial for the visitors. The partnership elevated Afghanistan's total, providing a challenging target for India.