INDvAFG 1st ODI report: Debutants shine, Gill clinical as India make it 1-0!

INDvAFG 1st ODI report: Debutants shine, Gill clinical as India make it 1-0!

By Mumbai Indians

The heavens may have shortened the first ODI contest between India and Afghanistan at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala, but it turned into dream debuts for youngsters Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey as they grabbed three wickets each. Brar holds the fourth position when it comes to best bowling figures for India on ODI debut (3/27). Also, this is the seventh time in ODI history that two debutants have bagged at least three wickets in a team’s innings. On the other hand, Rohit Sharma has reached a milestone of 16,000 international runs as an opener. India won the contest by seven wickets, shining with both bat and ball to lead 1-0 in the three match ODI series. 💙

Debutant Gurnoor, Arshdeep put early pressure on Afghanistan 🔥

For Gurnoor Brar, it was a dream debut as he snapped up the wicket of Ibrahim Zadran very early in the contest. His maiden ODI wicket in his very first over of the contest. The lanky pacer showcased composure and control in the middle. Hunting in a pair, Brar complemented Arshdeep during the early phase of the contest, enforcing Afghanistan’s top order collapse. Brar’s disciplined bowling show brought a lot of joy to the fans as he finished off his spell picking three wickets, 3/27 in 4.5 overs.

Arshdeep at the other end was splendid with the ball, snapping key wickets of Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Singh, thus putting a lot of pressure early on.

Afghan opener Gurbaz produces a batting masterclass 👏

The Afghan wicketkeeper-opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was simply outstanding with the bat, smashing 102 in just 51 balls aced with eight fours and eight maximums. He played calculative shots in the middle, taking the attack back to the Indian bowlers. He single-handedly brought his team back into the contest. Gurbaz and skipper Shahidi stitched a 116 runs partnership that shifted the momentum.

Harsh Dubey spins magic, picks a three-wicket haul on debut

India’s second debutant left arm orthodox bowler Harsh Dubey was also amongst the wickets. He announced himself on the international stage with a remarkable spell of 3/47 in his five overs showcasing courage and control with the knack of breaking partnerships when India needed it the most. India has unearthed another exciting talent for the future.

Skipper Shubman takes a stunning catch 🤯

Gill took a stunning one-handed catch, diving to his left and dismissing Allah Ghazanfar off a Harsh Dubey delivery. He tossed up a slower one just outside off, Ghazanfar got a top edge which went flying to the left side of the slip region. Gill made no mistake and pounced on the opportunity to dismiss the batter.

From being 26/3 in 4.3 overs at one stage, Afghanistan did well to recover and ended their innings with 194 in 24.5 overs.

Gill leads from the front scaling new heights, KL Rahul’s cameo 💪 

Gill became the fastest Indian and second fastest player overall to amass 3000 ODI runs. He led the charge from the front with a quickfire 84*(66) with 11 fours and two sixes. He played shots all over the park and ensured India always had the upper hand right from the word go.

KL Rahul at the other end was in great touch, making his bat do all the talking… contributing a handy cameo of 39 not out in just 19 deliveries. He stitched a 53 runs partnership for the fourth wicket along with Gill and finally ensured the hosts won their encounter by seven wickets.

Brief Scores: Afghanistan 194 all-out in 24.5 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 102; Gurnoor Brar 3/27, Harsh Dubey 3/47) lost to India 195/3 in 22.5 overs (Shubman Gill 84*, KL Rahul 39*; Rashid Khan 1/37) by 7 wickets