India vs Afghanistan: 'That's Ash-level thinking', Rahul Dravid on Rohit Sharma's 'retired out' in 3rd T20I

Drama unfolded at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday during the third T20I between India and Afghanistan. While the Men in Blue defeated Afghanistan over two Super Overs after both teams had posted 212 at the end of the match, there was a defining moment in the game, when Rohit Sharma seemingly retired out during the first Super Over, to allow Rinku Singh to take his place. Rohit was at the non-strikers’ end with Yashasvi Jaiswal on strike, and India needed two to win from one ball.

While the scores were level on 16 in the first Super Over, Rohit would walk out to bat again in the second Super Over along with Jaiswal. India posted a total of 11 in the Super Over, a total they successfully defended.

However, there was confusion whether Rohit, whose century had helped India put a big total, was “retired hurt” or “retired out”.  Head coach Rahul Dravid did seem to suggest that Rohit was retired out, recalling Ravichandran Ashwin on how he retired himself out during an IPL game in 2022.

“Taking himself out was Ashwin-level thinking. That’s Ash-level thinking,” Dravid told broadcasters Sports18.

The match officials are yet to comment on the incident. Had Rohit been retired out, he wouldn’t be eligible to bat again in the second Super Over, according to the MCC playing conditions. However, if a batter retires hurt on the other hand, he remains eligible to bat  since he would be “retired not out”.

“Any batsman dismissed in any previous Super Over shall be ineligible to bat in any subsequent Super Over,” says one of the playing conditions set by the MCC.

“If a batter retires because of illness, injury or any other unavoidable cause, that batter is entitled to resume his/her innings. If for any reason this does not happen, that batter is to be recorded as ‘Retired – not out’,” says Law 25.4.2 of the MCC.

“If a batter retires for any reason other than as in 25.4.2, the innings of that batter may be resumed only with the consent of the opposing captain. If for any reason his/her innings is not resumed, that batter is to be recorded as ‘Retired – out’,” says Law 25.4.3.

“Was important to bat long and deep”

Skipper Rohit Sharma said that it was important for the hosts to bat long and deep after India were restricted to 22/4 at one stage. Having lost Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson, task was cut out for Rohit and Rinku Singh. The two forged a 190-run stand for the fifth wicket to help India post a challenging total.

“Creating the partnership was important and we (Rinku and I) kept talking to each other to not lose that intent in big games and it was a good game for us to be in, the pressure was there and was important to bat long and deep and not compromise on the intent we want to show,” Rohit, who was adjudged Player of the Match, said at the presentation ceremony.

Rohit acknowledged Rinku’s calm demeanour and his strength. Rinku scored an unbeaten 69 off 39 deliveries.

“The last couple of series that he played, he showed what he can do with the bat. Very calm and knows his strength pretty well. He is coming off age and doing what is expected of him and he has done really well for India. Augurs well for the team moving forward, wanted someone like that at the backend and we know what he has done in the IPL and he has carried that to the Indian colors as well,” added the 36-year-old.

Shivam Dube won the Player of the Series award for his two fifties in Mohali and Indore, and said ha it felt good to have won the award. “As an all-rounder you always want to be the Player of the Series, and this is something new I achieved in my life and it feels really good,” said Dube. “There are many things I want to improve, especially in my bowling and I’m trying to get better with each passing game,” he added.