Dharamsala: India began their ODI series against Afghanistan with a convincing seven-wicket victory in a rain-affected first match, thanks to a composed captain’s knock from Shubman Gill and an impressive bowling display led by debutant Gurnoor Brar.

The match, played in Dharamsala on Saturday, was reduced to 25 overs per side after persistent rain delayed proceedings by over four hours. Despite the shortened format, the contest produced several standout performances, with both teams showing moments of brilliance.

Gurbaz shines with explosive century

Afghanistan posted a competitive total of 194 after being put in to bat, largely due to a शानदार innings from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The opener smashed a remarkable 102 off just 51 balls, anchoring the innings after his side collapsed to 54/7.

Gurbaz’s counter-attacking knock included eight fours and eight sixes, as he took on both pace and spin with authority. His aggressive approach put India’s bowlers under pressure, especially in the middle overs.

However, once Gurbaz was dismissed in the 16th over, Afghanistan struggled to maintain momentum and were eventually bowled out for 194, failing to fully capitalise on the platform he had set.

Debutants make strong impression

India’s bowling effort was highlighted by the performances of debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey, both of whom picked up three wickets each.

Brar (3/27) impressed with his pace and control, consistently clocking over 145 kmph and troubling Afghanistan’s top order with movement off the pitch. He made an immediate impact by dismissing Ibrahim Zadran early in the innings.

Dubey (3/47), a left-arm spinner, had an expensive start but bounced back strongly in his second spell, removing key batters including Hashmatullah Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai.

Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy also contributed with crucial wickets, ensuring Afghanistan never fully recovered despite Gurbaz’s heroics.

Gill anchors India’s chase

In reply, Gill once again demonstrated his class and consistency, scoring an unbeaten 84 off 66 balls to guide India to victory in 22.5 overs. His innings was a blend of elegance and control, featuring 11 boundaries and two sixes.

Gill paced his innings perfectly, bringing up his half-century in just 37 balls and ensuring India remained ahead of the required rate throughout the chase.

He was well supported by KL Rahul, who played a quickfire knock of 39 not out off 19 balls. Rahul’s cameo included a stylish six over extra cover, helping India finish the match comfortably with 13 balls to spare.

Contributions from top order

India’s chase saw brief contributions from the top order as well. Rohit Sharma scored 16 before being run out in a mix-up with Gill. While Rohit showed glimpses of his strokeplay, including a trademark pull shot for six, he could not convert his start.

Ishan Kishan, making a return to the ODI side, looked in good touch with a brisk 34 off 22 balls before falling to a googly from Rashid Khan.

Gill dominated the spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and AM Ghazanfar, showcasing his ability to handle quality spin with ease.

Rain impact and match conditions

The match was significantly affected by rain, with the toss delayed by more than four hours. Thanks to the efficient sub-air drainage system at the Dharamsala stadium, play resumed quickly once conditions improved.

The reduced format demanded aggressive intent from both sides, which was evident in the high scoring rate and attacking gameplay throughout the match.

Series outlook

With this win, India take a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The second ODI will be played in Lucknow, followed by the final match in Chennai on June 20.

The match also marked the beginning of India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with several players making strong cases for selection through impactful performances.

Conclusion

India’s comprehensive win in the rain-hit opener highlighted their depth in both batting and bowling. While Shubman Gill’s innings stood out, the contributions from debutants and supporting players underline a well-balanced squad. Afghanistan, despite Gurbaz’s brilliance, will need a more consistent team effort to bounce back in the upcoming matches.


(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News Karnataka staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)