IND vs AFG: Rashid Khan’s Magic Ends Rohit Sharma’s Charge as Hitman’s Wait for ODI Fifty Continues

Lucknow, June 17: After a costly mix-up in the opening ODI where he was run out cheaply, Rohit Sharma looked every bit the destructive batter that he is in the second one-day international against Afghanistan at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

The 38-year-old legendary India batter who has terrorised bowling attacks across the world for nearly two decades looked set for a big knock. Then came Rashid Khan.

The Afghanistan star once again proved why he remains one of the most dangerous spinners in white-ball cricket, producing a moment of brilliance to dismiss Rohit Sharma for 48 and deny the India opener a chance to register his 62nd ODI half-century during the second ODI in Lucknow on Tuesday (June 17).

The Mumbaikar had appeared in complete control during his stay at the crease. After India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal early, the veteran right-hander rebuilt the innings with authority, striking six boundaries and two sixes in an aggressive 39-ball knock. His timing was impeccable, his footwork assured, and Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to contain him.

Just when it seemed Rohit was set for a substantial score, Rashid Khan produced the breakthrough.

Rashid’s Googly Does the Trick for Rohit Sharma

The decisive moment arrived immediately after the drinks break.

Bowling the first ball of his second over, Rashid delivered a well-disguised googly at 92.7 kph. Rohit, expecting the ball to turn away, remained on the back foot and attempted a hurried defensive shot.

However, the ball spun sharply back into him from a short-of-length. The India batter failed to pick the variation, the inside edge was beaten, and the stumps were rattled.

The dismissal stunned the motely Lucknow crowd, which turned up in the afternoon heat.

Rohit departed for 48 off 39 balls, falling just two runs short of what would have been another ODI half-century, his 62nd in the format.

More importantly for Afghanistan, Rashid ended a promising 87-run partnership that had helped India recover after the early loss of Jaiswal.

The wicket also shifted momentum back towards the visitors at a crucial stage of the innings.

A Rare Rashid Khan Masterclass Against Rohit

Throughout their international careers, Rohit has often managed to counter quality spin with remarkable ease. Yet Rashid remains one of the few bowlers capable of unsettling even the most accomplished batters.

The Afghan leg-spinner’s ability to disguise his variations and bowl at higher speeds has troubled several elite players over the years, and Rohit became his latest high-profile victim.

What made the dismissal particularly impressive was the timing.

Rohit had hardly put a foot wrong before that delivery. Afghanistan desperately needed a breakthrough, and Rashid delivered immediately after the drinks interval when concentration levels can briefly dip.

The wicket was a reminder of why Afghanistan continue to rely heavily on their talismanic spinner whenever the game hangs in the balance.

Rohit vs Rashid in ODIs

Rohit’s Search for a Fifty Continues

The dismissal also extended an unusual sequence for the former India captain.

Despite playing several impactful knocks since the start of 2026, Rohit is yet to register a half-century in ODI cricket this year.

Rohit Sharma’s ODI scores in 2026 now read:

The 48 in Lucknow is his highest ODI score of the year so far.

While those numbers do not necessarily suggest a prolonged slump, they do highlight a recurring issue. Rohit has managed starts but has not converted them into the kind of substantial innings that defined his prime years.

His previous ODI fifty came against South Africa in Visakhapatnam in December 2025 when he scored 75.

Since then, the Mumbai batter has repeatedly looked threatening without going on to produce a match-defining innings.

Bigger Questions Ahead

Rohit’s place in India’s ODI setup remains secure given his experience and remarkable record.

The 38-year-old has scored 11,577 ODI runs at an average of 48.84, including 33 centuries and 61 half-centuries. His record against Afghanistan is equally impressive, featuring a memorable 131 off 84 balls during the 2023 World Cup in Delhi.

However, India’s management will be hoping that these starts soon translate into bigger scores.

With Shubman Gill now leading India’s ODI side and the team beginning preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, every innings from Rohit is being viewed through the prism of longevity, fitness and form.

The veteran opener remains one of India’s most destructive white-ball batters, but innings like the one in Lucknow will leave supporters wondering what might have been.