India captain Rohit Sharma scripted history by becoming the first men’s player to register 100 wins in T20I cricket. India beat Afghanistan by 6 wickets in the first T20I of their three-match series at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Thursday, January 11.
Only England’s Danni Wyatt (111) has won more T20I matches than Rohit, who is level with Australia’s Alyssa Healy and Elysse Perry (100) in terms of T20I wins.
This was Rohit's first white-ball match since India's loss in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup against Australia in November, last year.
Most Matches Won in Men's T20Is
Rohit Sharma: 100
Shoaib Malik: 86
Virat Kohli: 73
Mohammad Hafeez: 70
Mohammad Nabi: 70
ROHIT FELL FOR A DUCK IN MOHALI
Rohit, who made his return to T20I cricket after a gap of 14 months, had a forgetful evening with the bat. Rohit was involved in a horrible mix-up with fellow opener Shubman Gill, which led to his run-out off the
second ball of the second innings.
This was Rohit’s first T20I match since India’s loss against England in the semi-final of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia. In fact, this was the first time that Rohit was playing a white-ball international match since India lost the 2023 ODI World Cup final against Australia in November, 2023.
India were given a 159-run target to chase by Afghanistan in Mohali, on the back of a brilliant knock from veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi.
In reply, Shivam Dube and Jitesh Sharma were the stars for India as they chased down the target with six wickets and 15 balls remaining. Dube scored an unbeaten 60 off 40 deliveries, smashing five boundaries and two sixes, while Jitesh chipped in with a 20-ball 31.
With this win, India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match T20I series, with the next match slated to be held at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, January 14.
Brief scores:
India (159/4 in 17.3 overs) beat Afghanistan (158/5). Dube (60*), Jitesh (31), Axar (2/23).