India began their three match ODI series against Afghanistan with a convincing seven wicket victory in the opening encounter played on June 13, 2026. The match, held at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala, was heavily affected by rain and reduced to 25 overs per side. Despite the shortened format, fans witnessed an entertaining contest featuring a stunning century from Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz and a composed match winning innings from Indian captain Shubman Gill. Chasing a target of 195, India reached 195 for 3 in 22.5 overs, finishing the job with 13 balls remaining. Gill remained unbeaten on 84 runs and guided the chase with maturity, helping India take a 1-0 lead in the ODI series. The match also produced several encouraging performances from young players, particularly India debutant bowlers.
Match Summary
| Team | Score | Overs |
|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 194 All Out | 24.5 Overs |
| India | 195 for 3 | 22.5 Overs |
Result: India won by 7 wickets. Player of the Match: Shubman Gill (84 not out off 66 balls). Series Status: India lead the three match ODI series 1-0.
Afghanistan Explosive Start Led by Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Afghanistan innings revolved around one remarkable performance. Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz produced a breathtaking knock that kept his side in the contest almost single handedly. The aggressive batter smashed 102 runs from just 51 deliveries, reaching his century at an exceptional strike rate. His innings included powerful hitting and eight sixes that repeatedly put pressure on the Indian bowling attack. During his stay at the crease, Afghanistan looked capable of posting an even larger total. Gurbaz dominated the scoring and ensured the scoreboard moved rapidly despite wickets falling around him. However, once his innings ended, Afghanistan momentum slowed significantly.
Afghanistan Middle Order Struggles Continue
Although Gurbaz delivered one of the finest innings of the match, Afghanistan failed to receive meaningful support from the middle order. Several experienced batters were unable to build partnerships after Gurbaz dismissal. The collapse prevented Afghanistan from fully capitalizing on the strong platform created by their opener. The middle order unit collectively struggled to maintain scoring momentum and left valuable runs on the field. Considering the pace at which Gurbaz scored, Afghanistan may have expected a total well beyond 200 runs in a 25 over contest. The inability to convert a strong start into a dominant finish ultimately proved costly.
Debutant Indian Bowlers Make Immediate Impact
One of the biggest positives for India was the performance of its debutant bowlers.
| Bowler | Wickets | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Gurnoor Brar | 3 wickets | Disciplined spell, broke partnerships |
| Harsh Dubey | 3 wickets | Left arm spinner with control and confidence |
Gurnoor Brar announced his arrival on the international stage with a disciplined spell. The young bowler consistently challenged the Afghan batting lineup and played an important role in breaking partnerships. Harsh Dubey also enjoyed an excellent debut outing, displaying control and confidence despite the pressure of international cricket. Together, Brar and Dubey picked up three wickets each, significantly contributing to Afghanistan collapse after the strong opening partnership. Their performances provided India with additional bowling options and offered encouraging signs for the future.
Shubman Gill Leads from the Front
Chasing 195 in a rain shortened ODI requires calmness and intelligent shot selection. Indian captain Shubman Gill delivered exactly that. Gill remained unbeaten on 84 runs from 66 balls and controlled the chase from start to finish. His innings featured a blend of attacking stroke play and calculated risk management.
| Player | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shubman Gill | 84 not out | 66 | 11 | 2 |
| KL Rahul | 39 not out | 19 | – | – |
| Ishan Kishan | 34 | 22 | – | – |
Most importantly, Gill never allowed the required run rate to become a concern. He rotated the strike effectively and punished loose deliveries whenever opportunities arose. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award and once again highlighted his growing importance to India ODI setup.
KL Rahul Provides the Finishing Touch
While Gill anchored the innings, KL Rahul played the role of finisher perfectly. Rahul scored an unbeaten 39 runs from just 19 deliveries, attacking the Afghan bowlers aggressively during the final phase of the chase. His innings featured clean stroke making and helped India close out the match quickly. The wicketkeeper batter cameo ensured there would be no late drama in the pursuit of the target. By accelerating at the right time, Rahul helped India secure victory with more than two overs remaining.
Valuable Contribution from Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan also made a useful contribution during the chase. Batting at number three, Kishan scored a brisk 34 runs from 22 deliveries and maintained pressure on the Afghan bowling attack. His aggressive approach complemented Gill more measured innings and helped India remain ahead of the required rate throughout the chase.
Areas of Concern for Team India
Despite the comfortable victory, India will identify a few aspects requiring improvement before the next match.
- Rohit Sharma Early Exit: Rohit Sharma managed only 16 runs before being dismissed following a run out mix up. Although it did not affect the final result, the dismissal highlighted the importance of communication between batters during pressure situations
- Shreyas Iyer Needs a Bigger Score: Shreyas Iyer struggled to settle at the crease and was dismissed after scoring 12 runs from 15 balls
- Washington Sundar Expensive Spell: Washington Sundar found conditions difficult and conceded 19 runs in a single over during Afghanistan innings
Afghanistan Must Address Key Weaknesses
Afghanistan displayed flashes of brilliance but also exposed several weaknesses.
- Dependence on Gurbaz: The batting unit appeared heavily dependent on Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Once he departed, scoring momentum dropped dramatically
- Bowling Discipline: Afghanistan pace attack struggled to contain India aggressive batters. Several bowlers leaked runs at crucial stages, making the target easier than it might have been
What This Win Means for India
Taking a 1-0 lead provides India with momentum heading into the second ODI. The victory also offers several positives including captain Shubman Gill in excellent form, young bowlers delivering strong performances, the batting lineup chasing confidently, and team balance appearing stable. Winning the opening match places India in a favorable position as the series progresses.
Remaining ODI Series Schedule
| Match | Date | Time | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd ODI | June 17, 2026 | 1:30 PM IST | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| 3rd ODI | June 20, 2026 | 1:30 PM IST | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
India will enter the second ODI with an opportunity to secure the series, while Afghanistan must win to keep their hopes alive.
Conclusion
The opening ODI between India and Afghanistan delivered excitement despite being reduced to 25 overs due to rain. Afghanistan innings was powered by Rahmanullah Gurbaz explosive century, but India balanced team performance ultimately proved decisive. Shubman Gill unbeaten 84, supported by KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan, guided India to a comfortable seven wicket victory. Meanwhile, debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey impressed with three wickets each, giving the Indian management additional reasons to be optimistic. With India leading the series 1-0 and two matches still to come, the contest remains alive. Afghanistan will need stronger support for Gurbaz and greater bowling discipline, while India will look to continue the momentum generated by this convincing opening win.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who won the India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI in 2026
A1. India defeated Afghanistan by 7 wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three match ODI series.
Q2. What was Shubman Gill score in the match
A2. Shubman Gill scored an unbeaten 84 runs from 66 balls, including 11 fours and 2 sixes, and was named Player of the Match.
Q3. How many runs did Rahmanullah Gurbaz score for Afghanistan
A3. Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed 102 runs from just 51 deliveries, including eight sixes, before Afghanistan were bowled out for 194.
Q4. Which debutant bowlers performed well for India
A4. Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey both took three wickets each on debut, playing a key role in dismantling Afghanistan batting lineup.
Q5. What is the schedule for the remaining ODIs
A5. The second ODI will be played on June 17, 2026 at Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, and the third ODI on June 20, 2026 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.