Rohit Sharma run-out for two-ball duck on T20I comeback during India-Afghanistan match in Mohali

Rohit Sharma made a forgettable return to Twenty20 Internationals on Thursday, getting dismissed for a two-ball duck during the first T20I between India and Afghanistan in Mohali. India skipper Rohit set off for a quick single after tapping the ball towards mid off, but ended up getting stranded at the non-striker’s end with opening partner Shubman Gill guilty of focusing on the ball rather than respond to his skipper’s call for a run.

LIVE: India vs Afghanistan, 1st T20I in Mohali

India, as a result, lost their first wicket before they could open their account after being set 159 to win by the Afghans, who are playing their first bilateral white-ball series against the Men in Blue.

Gill, who was preferred as Rohit’s opening partner over Yashasvi Jaiswal, would later open his account in style with a straight drive off Farooqi for a four and would collect four more boundaries, entering into the 20s in the process.

The 24-year-old, a native of Punjab’s border town Fazilka, would depart in the fourth over after getting stumped off off-spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman’s bowling.

Despite, the hiccups, Team India were comfortably placed at 83/3 at the halfway stage with all-rounder Shivam Dube stitching valuable partnerships with No 3 batter Tilak Varma and wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma.

Afghanistan had earlier posted a competitive 158/5 on the board after being invited to bat by India skipper Rohit, with senior all-rounder Mohammad Nabi playing a key role in guiding his team past 150 with a 27-ball 42 that contained two fours and three sixes.

Afghanistan are playing their first-ever white-ball bilateral series against India.

Besides Jaiswal, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav and pacer Avesh Khan were benched by the Men in Blue for the series opener at Mohali’s IS Bindra PCA Stadium.