McIlroy's playing partner Tiger Woods carded even par 72.
Jeev had birdies on first, second, sixth and eighth. He bogeyed the fourth and then bogeyed the 12th and 17th to be just one over, before he birdied the closing hole to finish at two-under 70.
Jamie Donaldson shot a five under par 67 to claim the clubhouse lead and later he was joined by Justin Rose, who also shot five-under.
Of the other two Indians, SSP Chowrasia, shot one-over 73 to be tied 53rd, while Gaganjeet Bhullar was two-over 74 and tied 71st.
Donaldson, already looking forward to his Masters Tournament debut in April after climbing into the Official World Golf Ranking's top 50 on the back of his Irish Open victory last summer, carded six birdies and one bogey at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
That saw the 37 year old lead by one from Dane Thorbj
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