The scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Affiliation Stadium witnessed high-octane drama as India kicked off the much-anticipated Afghanistan tour of India with a convincing victory. In a match shortened to 25 overs per aspect attributable to persistent rain and a moist outfield, India defeated Afghanistan by 7 wickets with 13 balls to spare on June 13, 2026. Whereas the explosive batting show saved the Dharamsala crowd on their ft, it was an unbelievable second of dynamic fielding by Indian captain Shubman Gill that stole absolutely the highlight of the primary ODI.
Shubman Gill pulls off a screamer to ship Allah Ghazanfar packing within the first ODI
The defining picture of the match arrived within the twenty second over of Afghanistan’s innings. Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey was working in the course of a powerful spell, executing a decent size to choke the decrease order. On the fourth supply of the over, Dubey bowled a gradual, back-of-a-length supply spinning sharply away simply exterior the off stump.
Determined to interrupt the shackles and discover the boundary, Afghanistan’s lower-order batter Allah Ghazanfar threw his bat at it, trying a giant hit over the quilt area. Nonetheless, the dearth of tempo deceived Ghazanfar utterly. The ball took a skinny edge excessive on the bat, sending a looping catch towards the slip cordon.
Positioned at slip, Gill confirmed lightning-fast reflexes and extraordinary athleticism. Because the ball floated away from him, Gill threw his physique sideways, sticking his left hand properly above shoulder top whereas falling backward. He plucked the ball cleanly out of the air and safely cradled it as he tumbled onto the turf. Realizing he had pulled off an absolute world-class screamer, Gill arose with an enormous smile, mobbed by his ecstatic teammates. Ghazanfar was despatched packing for a two-ball duck, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 182/8 as Dubey celebrated his third wicket of the afternoon.
Right here’s the video:
What. A. Catch 🤯
Captain Shubman Gill with an absolute stunner of a seize 🫡
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/lCuohEZYAl #TeamIndia | #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/jX2rAfSbtq
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 13, 2026
Additionally READ: Fans go gaga as Shubman Gill’s commanding innings guides India to an easy win over Afghanistan in the first ODI
India cruise previous Afghanistan in first ODI
Chasing a goal of 195 runs, India navigated the chase with supreme composure. Earlier within the day, a sensational, blistering century by opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who slammed 102 off simply 51 deliveries, that includes 8 fours and eight sixes, had threatened to take the sport away from the hosts. Nonetheless, Indian bowlers pulled issues again brilliantly. Harsh Dubey completed with impactful figures of three/47, whereas Gurnoor Brar ripped via the tail to register 3/27, bowling out Afghanistan for 194 in 24.5 overs.
India’s response was anchored by a masterclass from Participant of the Match, Gill. After Rohit Sharma was unluckily run out for 16, Gill took full management of the stadium. Exhibiting no indicators of fatigue from his sensible fielding show, he anchored the innings effortlessly with an unbeaten 84 off 66 balls, smashing 11 elegant fours and a towering six.
Useful contributions from Ishan Kishan, who made a brisk 34 off 22 balls, and an explosive end from KL Rahul (39* off simply 19 balls) ensured that India confronted no main hiccups. Regardless of tight bowling spells from Rashid Khan (1/37) and Ziaur Rahman (1/39), India chased down the 195-run goal in 22.5 overs, ending at 195/3 to safe a 1-0 lead within the three-match ODI sequence.
Additionally READ: IND vs AFG: Morne Morkel reveals India’s long-term plans ahead of Afghanistan ODIs
