[Watch] Rohit Sharma playfully punches wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Khan on the back after a fumble during India vs PMXI warm-up game 2024
Indian ODI and Test captain Rohit Sharma playfully threw a punch at wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Khan during Day 2 of the India vs PMXI warm-up game on Sunday, December 1, at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
India won the toss and chose to field first in the 50-over-per-side match after the first day was washed out due to rain. However, the game was interrupted once again by rain, reducing it to a 46-over contest.
Meanwhile, the moment of interest occurred during the 23rd over of PMXI’s innings. On the fifth ball, Harshit Rana delivered a short delivery to Oliver Davies. The batter attempted to pull it but was beaten for pace.
The ball zipped through, and Sarfaraz, who was behind the stumps, couldn't quite gather it cleanly. As Sarfaraz went to recollect the ball, skipper Rohit Sharma jokingly punched him on the back.
Here’s a video of the moment:
After missing the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test to be with his family following the birth of his son Ahaan, Rohit Sharma has returned and is now captaining the visitors in the ongoing warm-up match against PMXI.
Rohit Sharma doesn't open the innings for India in the warm-up game
After being asked to bat first, PMXI lost two early wickets, with Matt Renshaw (5) and Jayden Goodwin (4) falling cheaply. Sam Konstas and Jack Clayton (40) then shared a strong partnership, adding 109 runs off 103 balls for the third wicket. Harshit Rana made a crucial impact for India, taking four wickets in two overs as PMXI collapsed from 131 for three to 138 for seven.
Konstas played a brilliant knock, scoring 107 off 97 balls, which included 14 fours and one six. Hanno Jacobs also contributed with a solid 61 off 60 balls. Harshit was the pick of the bowlers for India, finishing with four wickets as PMXI were bowled out for 240 in 43.2 overs.
In reply, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened the batting for India. Jaiswal scored 45, while Rahul retired hurt on 27. Rohit Sharma came in at No. 4 but had a disappointing innings, dismissed for just three off 11 balls.
At the time of writing, India were 90 for two after 21 overs, with Shubman Gill (5) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (0) at the crease.