Gill, Rahul Power India to Seven-Wicket Win Over Afghanistan in Rain-Hit ODI

India beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets
Afghanistan 194 all out in 24.5 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 102; Gurnoor Brar 3/34, Harshit Dubey 3/39)
India 196/3 in 22.5 overs (Shubman Gill 84, KL Rahul 39; India won by 7 wickets)**

New Delhi, June 2026 : India began their three-match ODI series against Afghanistan in dominant fashion, registering a convincing seven-wicket victory in the rain-curtailed opening match. Chasing a target of 195 in a contest reduced to 25 overs per side, the hosts reached the target comfortably with 13 balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the series.

Captain Shubman Gill led from the front with a superb unbeaten 84 off 66 deliveries, anchoring the chase with authority and composure. His innings, decorated with 11 boundaries and two sixes, ensured India remained firmly in control throughout the pursuit. KL Rahul then provided the finishing flourish, blasting an unbeaten 39 from just 19 balls, including four fours and three sixes, to guide India home in style.

India’s chase got off to a positive start, although Rohit Sharma’s stay at the crease was brief. The veteran opener scored a quick 16 before being run out. Ishan Kishan then joined Gill and played an aggressive hand, contributing 34 runs to maintain the required scoring rate.

Gill continued to build partnerships and kept the innings on track with sensible strokeplay mixed with attacking intent. As the target drew closer, Rahul accelerated the scoring with a series of powerful shots, ensuring there were no late hiccups for the home side.

Earlier, Afghanistan rode on a sensational century from wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz to post a competitive total. The explosive opener dominated the Indian bowling attack, smashing 102 off only 51 deliveries at a remarkable strike rate of 200. His innings featured eight fours and eight towering sixes and kept Afghanistan in the game despite a lack of substantial support from the other end.

Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi chipped in with 27 runs, while Azmatullah Omarzai contributed 26. However, the rest of the batting line-up struggled to make an impact against India’s disciplined bowling attack.

The turning point came when all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy dismissed the dangerous Gurbaz. Once the Afghan opener departed, the visitors lost momentum and wickets fell at regular intervals. Afghanistan eventually collapsed from a promising position and were bowled out for 194 in 24.5 overs.

India’s young pace attack delivered an impressive performance. Gurnoor Brar and Harshit Dubey starred with three wickets each, consistently troubling the Afghan batters with their accuracy and variations. Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy also made valuable contributions, claiming two wickets apiece.

The comprehensive victory highlighted India’s depth in both batting and bowling and provided the hosts with a strong start to the series. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will look to regroup and address their middle-order concerns ahead of the next encounter.

The second ODI of the three-match series will be played in Lucknow on June 17, where Afghanistan will aim to level the series while India seek to seal it.

Team Maverick.