Former cricketer slams Rohit Sharma as India skipper ‘hasn’t scored a single run’ in ongoing IND vs AFG series 

Rohit Sharma, the batter, was sensational in the 2023 ODI World Cup, but thereafter the story changed completely. He took a break in the white ball leg against South Africa and failed to deliver as expected in the Test series. His next assignment was the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan, but so far the veteran opener has had a forgettable outing.

The bilateral home series also marked Rohit’s comeback to the shorter format after 14 months. With the 2024 T20 World Cup in the line-up, the 36-year-old made himself available for selection in the format but things didn’t go the way he expected. The India skipper is yet to open his account in the series. Unfortunately in the first match in Mohali, he was run out following a terrible mix-up with Shubman Gill.

Extremely surprising the way Rohit got out: Aakash Chopra

However, Rohit has himself to blame for the second duck at the Holkar Stadium in Mohali on Sunday. The ‘Hitman’ tried to charge down the ground against Afghan pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi on the very first ball he faced. But he completely failed to connect the ball, resulting in a clean bowl. With Rohit yet to score a run in the series, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra blasted the right-hander for his shot selection.

“It was extremely surprising the way Rohit got out. He was playing just his first ball. He doesn’t play such shots. The ball went and hit his stumps. He got run out in the last match and was bowled for zero in this match. He hasn’t scored a single run in this series thus far,” Chopra said.

“Run-out was not his mistake but the shot selection definitely was. There is no doubt about Rohit Sharma’s form and ability. However, he will have to be in form in the IPL and I feel he will bat like this only. We need 38-40, the runs he was scoring in the ODI World Cup, from his bat,” he added.

With youngsters Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad in the queue, the competition for the opening role is fierce. Rohit has just one international T20 match left to impress the selectors, which will be played on January 17 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The former Mumbai Indians (MI) captain will have to prove his mettle in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season to earn a spot in the World Cup squad.