Persistent showers delayed the start of the first ODI between India and Afghanistan in Dharamshala, but thanks to the recently installed subair drainage system, not much time was lost once the skies cleared. The match was reduced to 25 overs per side, and India elected to bowl first.
Gurbaz's Blazing Century
Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a sensational innings, scoring 102 off just 51 balls. His knock included eight fours and six sixes. Gurbaz credited India coach Gautam Gambhir for tips that helped him improve his shot selection after the one-off Test in Mullanpur. Gurbaz was a key member of the Kolkata Knight Riders team that won the IPL in 2024.
Gurbaz attacked from the start, cutting Arshdeep Singh for a boundary and then stepping out to hit him for a six. He was dropped on 14 when India opted not to review a leg-before appeal, and he made the most of that reprieve.
Brar Impresses on Debut
Pacer Gurnoor Brar, making his ODI debut, was impressive with figures of 3 for 27 in 4.5 overs. The 6-foot-5-inch tall bowler consistently clocked over 145 kmph and got the ball to swing away. He dismissed opener Ibrahim Zadran, who mistimed a pull to mid-off, giving Brar his first international wicket.
Afghanistan slipped to 16 for 2 when Arshdeep Singh trapped Sediqullah Atal leg before, and then to 26 for 3 when Rahmat Shah was caught by debutant Harsh Dubey running back from mid-wicket.
Dubey's Three-Wicket Haul
Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey, also making his debut, took 3 for 47 in 5 overs. After his first two overs went for 26 runs, he returned to claim the wickets of Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (27 off 30), Azmatullah Omarzai (26 off 16), and AM Ghazanfar. Ghazanfar's wicket came via a stunning one-handed catch by India captain Shubman Gill, who leaped to his left to grab a thick edge.
Nitish Kumar Reddy bowled steadily, taking 2 for 31. Gurbaz's dismissal in the 16th over slowed Afghanistan's scoring, and they were eventually bowled out for 194.
