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The scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association 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 side due to persistent rain and a wet outfield, India defeated Afghanistan by 7 wickets with 13 balls to spare on June 13, 2026. While the explosive batting display kept the Dharamsala crowd on their feet, it was an unbelievable moment of dynamic fielding by Indian captain Shubman Gill that stole the absolute spotlight of the first ODI.
Shubman Gill pulls off a screamer to send Allah Ghazanfar packing in the first ODI
The defining image of the match arrived in the 22nd over of Afghanistan’s innings. Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey was operating in the middle of an impressive spell, executing a tight length to choke the lower order. On the fourth delivery of the over, Dubey bowled a slow, back-of-a-length delivery spinning sharply away just outside the off stump.
Desperate to break the shackles and find the boundary, Afghanistan’s lower-order batter Allah Ghazanfar threw his bat at it, attempting a big hit over the cover region. However, the lack of pace deceived Ghazanfar completely. The ball took a thin edge high on the bat, sending a looping catch toward the slip cordon.
Positioned at slip, Gill showed lightning-fast reflexes and extraordinary athleticism. As the ball floated away from him, Gill threw his body sideways, sticking his left hand well above shoulder height while 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 a massive smile, mobbed by his ecstatic teammates. Ghazanfar was sent packing for a two-ball duck, leaving Afghanistan reeling at 182/8 as Dubey celebrated his third wicket of the afternoon.
Here’s the video:
What. A. Catch 🤯
Captain Shubman Gill with an absolute stunner of a grab 🫡
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/lCuohEZYAl #TeamIndia | #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @ShubmanGill pic.twitter.com/jX2rAfSbtq
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 13, 2026
Also READ: Fans go gaga as Shubman Gill’s commanding innings guides India to an easy win over Afghanistan in the first ODI
India cruise past Afghanistan in first ODI
Chasing a target of 195 runs, India navigated the chase with supreme composure. Earlier in the day, a sensational, blistering century by opening batter Rahmanullah Gurbazwho slammed 102 off just 51 deliveries, featuring 8 fours and 8 sixes, had threatened to take the game away from the hosts. However, Indian bowlers pulled things back brilliantly. Harsh Dubey finished with impactful figures of 3/47, while Gurnoor Brar ripped through the tail to register 3/27, bowling out Afghanistan for 194 in 24.5 overs.
India’s response was anchored by a masterclass from Player of the Match, Gill. After Rohit Sharma was unluckily run out for 16, Gill took complete control of the stadium. Showing no signs of fatigue from his brilliant fielding display, he anchored the innings effortlessly with an unbeaten 84 off 66 balls, smashing 11 elegant fours and a towering six.
Helpful contributions from Ishan Kishanwho made a brisk 34 off 22 balls, and an explosive finish from KL Rahul (39* off just 19 balls) ensured that India faced no major hiccups. Despite tight bowling spells from Rashid Khan (1/37) and Ziaur Rahman (1/39), India chased down the 195-run target in 22.5 overs, ending at 195/3 to secure a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Also READ: IND vs AFG: Morne Morkel reveals India’s long-term plans ahead of Afghanistan ODIs
