Chasing 195, Gill was at his sublime best, in a knock filled with elegant drives and good use of the feet against the spinners.  | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

In the space of the last two weeks, Shubman Gill has played in all three formats and seamlessly adapted to each one of them. A 732-run IPL was followed by a Test century against Afghanistan last week. 

On Saturday, against the same opponent, the India skipper extended his purple patch into the ODI format as well, striking a well-composed unbeaten 84 (66b, 11x4, 2x6) to help the Men in Blue clinch a seven-wicket win in a rain-truncated first tie of the three-match series here at the HPCA Stadium.

Persistent rain since morning meant the start of the match was delayed by more than three hours. The covers came off only at 4.40 p.m, consigning the contest to 25 overs per-side.

Chasing 195, Gill was at his sublime best, in a knock filled with elegant drives and good use of the feet against the spinners. 

Though watchful at the start, Gill slowly switched up the gears and neutralised the Afghan spin threat, collecting three boundaries of AM Ghazanfar. He then welcomed Rashid Khan by swinging through the line over long-on before launching Mohammad Nabi for a brace of boundaries and a six to bring up his half-century.

The opener found an able ally in Ishan Kishan, and the duo added 70 for the second wicket, bringing the asking rate down to under seven.

Though the visitors fought back, taking two quick wickets, K.L. Rahul (39 n.o., 19b, 4x4, 3x6) snuffed out any hopes when he plundered 20 runs off Ziaur Rahman in the 22nd over as the hosts cantered home with 13 balls to spare.

Earlier, Rahmanullah Gurbaz showcased his clean striking ability in a scintillating knock of 102 (51b, 8x4, 8x6) to help Afghanistan post 194.

Despite his team being reduced to 27 for three at the end of the PowerPlay (five overs) - thanks to Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar’s fiery opening spell - Gurbaz counter-punched sensibly by just being clear-headed while often taking the aerial route.

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The Afghan keeper was severe on Prasidh Krishna, nonchalantly lofting the pacer down the track, over the covers, and ramping him over short-third. 

He did not spare the spinners either, hitting a brace of maximums off Harsh Dubey and Washington Sundar en route to his ninth ODI century, which came off just 48 deliveries.

However, once Nitish Kumar cleaned up Gurbaz, the Afghan innings came undone, when they lost their last six wickets for just 52 runs. It was the opening India needed, and Gill’s men capitalised on it to take a 1-0 lead.

Published on Jun 13, 2026