![Darwish Rasooli's injury aggravated [Source: X and Screengrabs]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1781707449674_DarwishRasooliofftheground.jpg?type=hq)
Darwish Rasooli's injury aggravated [Source: X and Screengrabs]
Afghanistan’s ODI debutant Darwish Rasooli endured a heartbreaking moment in the second ODI against India when he collapsed in pain after playing a pull shot.
The 26-year-old had to be helped off the field, effectively stretchered away by the physio and a support staff member, unable to put any weight on his right leg.
His retirement hurt was a mighty blow for the Afghan camp, which was already chasing a mammoth 403-run target.
What Happened to Darwish Rasooli While Batting?
The incident occurred in the 24th over of Afghanistan’s innings. Gurnoor Brar bowled a shortish ball on the stumps at 142.5 kph. Rasooli rocked back and pulled the ball hard towards short midwicket, where Yashasvi Jaiswal fielded.
Immediately after completing the shot, Rasooli went down on the pitch, clutching the back of his right thigh and screaming in pain. He was limping and repeatedly grabbing his right hamstring, with his face in visible discomfort.
The physio rushed out without delay. His right pad was removed, and the medical team began stretching his leg right there on the wicket.
Ahead of the discomfort in the batting innings, during Afghanistan's bowling, Rasooli was in tremendous pain with a cramp in the same leg. After suffering unbearable pain, the medical team had to rush to the ground to stretcher him off the field.
That earlier injury might have aggravated the pain Rasooli suffered later in the innings which didn't yield any result after the on-field treatment.
Rasooli Fails To Recover, Walked Off The Ground
Despite the treatment, Darwish Rasooli could not continue. Head coach Richard Pybus, watching from the dugout, signalled for him to come off.
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The physio and a support staff member then held Rasooli by either arm and helped him limp off the field, his right leg barely touching the ground.
He was officially declared “retired hurt” for 6 off 6 balls, an unthinkable end to his maiden ODI innings.
Darwish Rasooli To Make Return In The Playing XI Again?
Under cricket’s rules, a batter who retires hurt is allowed to resume their innings later, provided a wicket falls and the player is deemed fit enough to bat.
The immediate question after the distressing scenes was whether Rasooli would be able to walk back out in the same match. Given the severity of the pain, the heavy strapping, and the fact that he could not even walk off unaided, a return looked highly unlikely.
Hamstring injuries of this nature often require days or weeks of recovery, and risking him further in a steep chase of 403 would have been ill-advised.
When Will Rasooli Recover?
In the larger context, his availability for the remainder of the series is now a major doubt. Afghanistan’s team management will wait for a detailed medical assessment.
However, the sight of a debutant being virtually stretchered off suggests a significant tear or strain that could rule him out of the playing XI for the next fixture as well.
India Dominate AFG in 2nd ODI
While the injury cast a pall over the game, India had already stamped their authority in the game. Batting first after winning the toss, the hosts piled up 402 all out in 49.5 overs.
Shubman Gill, captaining the side, played a majestic knock of 154 off 110 balls, laced with 22 fours and 2 sixes. He shared a colossal 224-run stand with Ishan Kishan, who blazed 125 off just 79 deliveries, smashing 14 fours and 7 sixes.
Nangeyalia Kharote was the lone bright spot for Afghanistan with the ball, claiming 4 for 76, while Rashid Khan picked up 3 for 48.
Afghan Camp In Disaster
Chasing an improbable 403, Afghanistan lost Rahmanullah Gurbaz (41) and Ibrahim Zadran (21) early. Sediqullah Atal’s 42 off 50 balls and Rahmat Shah’s fighting 47 kept the scoreboard moving, but the required rate soared beyond control.
After Rasooli’s painful exit, skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi fell for just 4 in the very next over, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 140 for 5.
Also Read- India Claim Top Spot! Teams With Most 400-Plus Totals In ODIs
