India Beat Afghanistan By Seven Wickets In Rain-Shortened ODI At Dharamshala

India began the three-match ODI series with a convincing seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in a rain-shortened encounter at the HPCA Stadium on Saturday.

Chasing 195 in a 25-over contest, the hosts reached the target in 22.5 overs to take a 1-0 lead.

Afghanistan were bowled out for 194 in 24.5 overs despite a sensational century from Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey impressed on their ODI debuts, claiming three wickets each.

Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy provided excellent support with two wickets apiece as India pulled things back after a challenging start.

After Afghanistan lost three early wickets, Gurbaz counter-attacked brilliantly.

The wicketkeeper-batter smashed 102 from just 50 balls, hitting eight fours and eight sixes. His knock included the fastest ODI century by an Afghan batter and helped Afghanistan recover through a 116-run partnership with Hashmatullah Shahidi, who scored 27.

India’s reply was led superbly by captain Shubman Gill, who remained unbeaten on 84 from 66 deliveries.

Rohit Sharma contributed 16 before being run out, while Ishan Kishan marked his ODI return with a rapid 34.

KL Rahul then accelerated in the closing stages, finishing unbeaten on 39 off 19 balls as India completed the chase with 13 deliveries to spare.

Although Rashid Khan claimed a wicket, Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to contain India’s aggressive batting line-up.

Gill’s composed innings and Rahul’s late flourish ensured a comfortable victory, extending India’s unbeaten ODI record against Afghanistan.

Also Read: Rain Delays Toss Ahead Of India-Afghanistan ODI In Dharamshala