In a historic moment at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Afghanistan's Hashmatullah Shahidi scored his maiden One Day International (ODI) century against India on June 20, 2026. The left-handed batsman reached the three-figure mark off 119 balls, becoming the first Afghan player to achieve this milestone at the iconic Chepauk ground.
Shahidi's Innings
Shahidi's knock was a masterclass in patience and technique. He anchored the innings after early wickets, stitching crucial partnerships to steady the Afghan ship. His century included 8 boundaries and 2 sixes, with a strike rate of 84.03. The crowd at Chepauk gave him a standing ovation as he raised his bat to acknowledge the applause.
Historical Context
This century is Shahidi's first in ODIs, having previously scored 5 half-centuries in the format. He became the fourth Afghan batsman to score an ODI century against India, following Mohammad Shahzad, Rahmat Shah, and Asghar Afghan. However, he is the first to do so at Chepauk, a venue known for its spin-friendly conditions.
Match Situation
Afghanistan, batting first, were in a spot of bother at 45/3 when Shahidi walked in. He carefully negotiated the Indian pace attack and later took on the spinners with calculated aggression. His partnership with Najibullah Zadran (52) for the fourth wicket added 112 runs, laying the foundation for a competitive total.
India's bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, tried to contain Shahidi but failed to dislodge him. He reached his century with a single off Kuldeep Yadav, sparking celebrations in the Afghan dressing room.
Shahidi's innings ended on 114 off 135 balls, caught by Virat Kohli off Shardul Thakur's bowling. His knock helped Afghanistan post 268/7 in 50 overs, setting India a challenging target.
Reactions
Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan praised Shahidi, saying, "Hashmat's innings was outstanding. He showed great character and composure under pressure. This is a proud moment for Afghan cricket." Indian captain Rohit Sharma also acknowledged the knock, stating, "Shahidi played brilliantly. It was a special innings to watch."
Fans and cricket pundits lauded Shahidi's achievement on social media, with many calling it one of the best innings by an Afghan batsman in ODIs.
This century will be remembered as a landmark moment in Afghanistan's cricketing journey, showcasing their growing prowess on the international stage.
