Captain Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 84 powered India to a commanding seven-wicket win against Afghanistan in the weather-affected opening ODI at Dharamsala on Saturday. The match, shortened to 25 overs each due to rain, saw India successfully chase down Afghanistan’s total of 194 in 24.5 overs, reaching 195 for 3 in just 22.5 overs. Gill remained undefeated on 84 from 66 deliveries, featuring 11 boundaries and two maximums, supported by Ishan Kishan’s 34 and KL Rahul’s explosive 19-ball 39 not out. Afghanistan’s innings was anchored by Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s blistering 51-ball century (102 with 8 fours and 8 sixes), but Indian newcomers Gurnoor Brar (3/27) and Harsh Dubey (3/47) claimed three scalps apiece to restrict the visitors under 200. India chases down Afghanistan’s total set by Gurbaz’s 100-run innings.
TOSS-
India won the coin toss and chose to bowl first.
PLAYING XI-
Afghanistan (Playing XI):
Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Saleem Safi, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi
India (Playing XI):
Shubman Gill(c), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan(w), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
AFGHANISTAN-
After finding themselves struggling at 26 for 3 within the first five overs, Afghanistan faced potential disaster before Gurbaz stepped up to stabilize the innings. He commanded a crucial 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket across 11 overs, contributing 82 runs alongside Hashmatullah Shahidi. Gurbaz attacked Prasidh Krishna with consecutive boundaries in the seventh over before targeting Dubey, dispatching him for a four and six en route to his half-century off just 25 deliveries with another maximum over deep midwicket.
A clever flick-scoop off Prasidh accelerated Gurbaz through the sixties before he particularly enjoyed facing Washington Sundar, clubbing him for one four and two sixes during the 12th over. While Shahidi provided steady support by finding occasional boundaries and keeping the scoreboard ticking, the Afghan innings belonged entirely to Gurbaz. He moved to 94 with a magnificent six over long-off before completing his century in 48 balls with a couple through deep midwicket in the 15th over. Running at 9.33 per over after 15 overs, Afghanistan appeared destined for a total exceeding 220, but India mounted an impressive comeback.
Reddy demolished Gurbaz’s middle stump in the 16th over, while Dubey secured his first international dismissal by removing Shahidi next ball. Though Azmatullah Omarzai launched Dubey for two sixes, he fell to the same bowler shortly afterward. Gill produced a spectacular one-handed catch at slip, diving left to snare a thick edge from AM Ghazanfar’s bat as Afghanistan tumbled to 182 for 8 after 22 overs. Rashid Khan managed two boundaries before Gurnoor wrapped up Afghanistan’s innings.
INDIA-
India’s chase began dramatically as they reached 7 for 0 without facing a legitimate delivery, thanks to Omarzai’s opening over containing five wides, one no-ball, and another wide. He then struck Rohit’s right glove with a bouncer in an eventful first over. Despite requiring multiple visits from the physiotherapist, Rohit soon found his rhythm, driving debutant Ziaur Rahman through backward point before pulling Omarzai for a six and four.
Gill marked his account with an elegant back-foot cover drive before square-driving Ghazanfar as India reached 40 without loss after six overs. Afghanistan discovered hope when confusion between Rohit and Gill led to a run-out. Rohit nudged Ghazanfar toward midwicket and took off, but Gill, finding the bowler blocking his path, raised his glove. Rohit had already covered half the pitch and couldn’t return despite a desperate dive.
Kishan, appearing in his first ODI since October 2023, quickly settled into his stride. He combined with Gill for 70 runs off 43 deliveries to maintain India’s momentum. The pair found boundaries regularly, keeping the required rate manageable throughout. They targeted Mohammad Nabi aggressively, with Kishan first striking him for a four and six in the tenth over before Gill demolished him for a six and two fours in the 12th to complete a 37-ball half-century.
Kishan fell victim to a Rashid googly as he advanced down the pitch, losing his off stump after missing the line completely. Shreyas Iyer appeared out of touch during his 12 from 15 balls, but Rahul instantly revitalized the chase. He began with a ramp shot over deep third, and with India requiring 33 from 24 balls, he destroyed Ziaur with consecutive boundaries of 6, 4, 4 before concluding the 22nd over with an effortless six over deep extra cover.
Rahul and Gill compiled an unbroken 53-run fourth-wicket stand from 32 balls, with Rahul striking the match-winning runs off Mohammad Saleem. For Afghanistan, only Rashid and Ziaur managed single wickets.
BRIEF SCORECARD-
India 195 for 3 (Gill 84*, Rahul 39*, Kishan 34, Rashid 1-37) defeated Afghanistan 194 (Gurbaz 102, Gurnoor 3-27, Dubey 3-47, Arshdeep 2-27) by seven wickets.
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