Aakash Chopra supported Rohit Sharma’s expression of displeasure after he got run out in a mix-up with Shubman Gill during India’s pursuit of Afghanistan’s 159-run target in Mohali on January 11. Rohit Sharma found himself entangled in a disastrous mix-up during the 1st T20I between India and Afghanistan in Mohali. The unfortunate incident unfolded as Shubman Gill failed to respond to Rohit’s call for a run, resulting in the Indian captain’s dismissal. Visibly upset, Rohit Sharma returned to the pavilion in frustration.
Chopra underscored Rohit’s right to be upset, emphasizing that the striker was responsible for making the call when the ball was in front of him. Drawing from his own experience in a Ranji trophy game, Chopra refused to run despite the captain’s orders.
‘Rohit Sharma kept running while saying yes. Shubman Gill was looking back and said no as well but both eventually stood at one end. Rohit was visibly upset, rightfully so, because it was his call and his problem.” said Aakash Chopra in his video.
He noted Rohit’s disappointment, stating, “He was slightly disappointed and angry as well because the non-striker didn’t run at all. When the ball goes to mid-off, mid-on, or cover, in front of the striker, it’s his call and his danger end as well.”
Chopra acknowledged the potential scrutiny on whether Gill should have sacrificed his wicket by leaving the crease, but he defended Gill, emphasizing that such decisions were instinctive, especially considering the player’s stake in securing his place in the side.
Gill, after striking two fours off the first four balls of Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s second over, faced a stumping by Rahmanullah Gurbaz on the fifth delivery, concluding his innings at 23 off 12 balls. Despite Rohit being run out for a duck and Gill contributing only 23 runs, India secured a six-wicket victory with 15 deliveries to spare in the opening match of the three-game series.
