Ex-New Zealand player Simon Doull stood up for India’s leader Rohit Sharma. Rohit showed his frustration at Shubman Gill when he was run out without scoring a run in the first T20I against Afghanistan.
Rohit, back in the Indian T20I team after over a year, hit the second ball of India’s run attempt to mid-off. He then set off for a single run. But Gill was preoccupied, looking at the ball. Both players found themselves at the same spot, and the leader gave up his chance to run. This led to Rohit Sharma showing his anger at Gill while heading back to the pavilion.
Later in the Indian innings, Simon Doull discussed the run-out incident and supported Rohit’s outburst while providing analysis.
“Batting in partnerships is all about trust. And you trust someone until they misuse that trust. Shubman Gill trusts Rohit Sharma first and foremost, and doesn’t turn around to look where the ball has gone. He (Rohit) makes it home comfortably. And that’s the problem here. Rohit has called yes. Way before that, and he (Gill) should have gone. And he’s telling him now. Can’t repeat what he said because it’s not very nice. But Rohit Sharma is absolutely spot on and in the right.”
Simon Doull
Unfortunately, Gill was dismissed for 23 off 12 deliveries after making a few stunning strokes and was unable to continue for too long. But with six wickets and fifteen balls remaining, Team India had little problem chasing Afghanistan’s 158 to take a 1-0 lead.
“In the history of the game, there’ve been quite a few runners you don’t want to trust” – Deep Dasgupta
In response to the Rohit Sharma-Shubman Gill incident, former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta reiterated Simon Doull’s thoughts by pointing out that a partnership loses confidence if run-outs happen frequently.
Rohit Sharma was run out. Now he shares a record with MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. They’ve all been dismissed this way six times. No other Indian batters in T20Is have done this more.
“If the ball has gone behind you, you’ve got to trust your partner. You can’t be looking at the ball. That’s the starting point. That’s where you start, and then you obviously build that trust over the years. Playing with each other, you build that trust. And then you lose it very quickly too when you get run out a few times. In the history of the game, there’ve been quite a few runners you don’t want to trust.”
Deep Dasgupta
Despite the event, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have established themselves as a formidable opening combination, particularly in one-day internationals. Together, the two have amassed 1,523 runs at a fantastic average of 72.52, including five 100+ stands in 22 innings.
On the upcoming Sunday, January 14, India is hoping to secure a 2-0 lead in the second T20I. The match will take place in Indore.
