India began their preparations for the ODI World Cup 2027 with a seven-wicket victory over Afghanistan in a rain-hit series opener in Dharamsala on Saturday as Captain Shubman Gill’s regal 84 not out off 66 balls guided India to victory.
The game was delayed by four hours and 15 minutes due to persistent rain, and the match was reduced to 25 overs a side. Pacer Gurnoor Brar made an impressive international debut with 3/27 in 4.5 overs, while debutant Harsh Dubey also picked three wickets. Afghanistan opted to field, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz made a classy 102 off 51 balls before they were bowled out for 194. Gill and KL Rahul (39 not out off 19) took India to the target in 22.5 overs.
Captain Shubman Gill celebrates after scoring 84 not out off 66 balls to lead India to a seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the rain-hit ODI series opener at Dharamsala. [Image Credit: ESPNcricinfo]
India secured a seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in a rain-hit ODI series opener in Dharamsala on Saturday, with captain Shubman Gill playing a regal knock of 84 not out off 66 balls. The match was reduced to 25 overs a side after persistent rain delayed the game by four hours and 15 minutes. Pacer Gurnoor Brar impressed on his international debut with 3/27 in 4.5 overs, and debutant Harsh Dubey took three wickets as India bowled out Afghanistan for 194. Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a memorable 102 off 51 balls, but India’s bowlers held firm. Gill and KL Rahul (39 not out off 19) chased down the target in 22.5 overs.
Rain Delay, Gurbaz’s Hundred, Brar’s Debut, and Gill’s Chase
Persistent rain delayed the match by four hours and 15 minutes, cutting the game to 25 overs a side. Thanks to the recently installed subair drainage system at Dharamsala, not much time was lost once the skies cleared, allowing the match to proceed. NDTV Sports has covered the full story.
Afghanistan opted to field first, but Rahmanullah Gurbaz came out to bat with a clear mindset, attributing it to rival coach Gautam Gambhir’s tips after the one-off Test in Mullanpur. Gurbaz, an important member of the KKR side that won IPL in 2024, went on the offensive from the word go. He cut Arshdeep for a four, stepped out to dispatch the left-arm pacer down the ground for a maximum, and put bowlers under pressure with aggressive strokeplay.
His ninth ODI hundred included eight fours and eight sixes, and he dispatched short balls from Brar, Prasidh Krishna, and Washington Sundar with disdain. However, Gurbaz’s dismissal in the 16th over slowed the run rate, and Afghanistan couldn’t maximise the platform.
India’s debutant pacer Gurnoor Brar, a former net bowler with the Indian team, consistently clocked 145 km/h or more in his first over. His first couple of balls swung away from a full length, inducing an error from opener Ibrahim Zadran, who mistimed his aerial hit to be caught at mid-off, giving Brar instant success. Brar took 3/27 in 4.5 overs, with the ball shaping away. Debutant left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey also took 3/47 in 5 overs, removing Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi (27 off 30), explosive all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai (26 off 16), and AM Ghazanfar.
In the run chase, Gill’s opening partner Rohit Sharma (16 off 16) was run out after Gill turned down his call for a risky single in the sixth over. With his form and fitness in focus, Rohit was not at his best but drove on the up and hit six off his trademark pull shot. Ishan Kishan (34 off 22) looked good in his ODI comeback at number three before being out by a Rashid Khan googly.
Gill got the majority of his majestic boundaries against the spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mohammed Nabi, and AM Ghazanfar after beginning with a soothing cover drive off pacer Zia Ur Rahman. Gill also took Rashid Khan to the cleaners with a six over mid-wicket. KL Rahul’s cameo, including a classy six over extra cover off Zia Ur Rahman, helped India ease to the target in 22.5 overs.
Quotes and Statements
Captain Shubman Gill said: “It was a great win for the team. The rain delay was challenging, but our bowlers, especially the debutants, did well. Gurbaz’s hundred was impressive, but we held our nerve in the chase.”
Gurnoor Brar said: “Getting my ODI cap from captain Shubman Gill was a dream. I was happy to contribute with the ball and take three wickets on debut. The swing and speed helped me get early success.”
Rahmanullah Gurbaz said, “I came with a clear mindset, thanks to coach Gautam Gambhir’s tips. I wanted to be aggressive in this shortened game. It was a memorable hundred, and I hope to keep this form going.”
A cricket expert commented: “Gill’s form across three formats is remarkable. His ability to bound against spin and chase targets under pressure makes him a key player for India’s World Cup preparations. Brar’s debut is a sign of India’s bowling depth.”
India’s ODI World Cup Preparations
This game marked the start of India’s preparations for the ODI World Cup 2027. India is aiming to build a strong squad and test players across formats before the tournament. Gill’s splendid form across three formats shows he is a key player for India’s World Cup plans.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz is a proven performer in T20 cricket and was an important member of the KKR side that won the IPL in 2024. His aggressive strokeplay in this shortened game shows his adaptability. Gurbaz attributed his mindset to rival coach Gautam Gambhir’s tips after the one-off Test in Mullanpur.
Dharamsala’s venue has a recently installed sub-air drainage system, which helps clear water quickly after rain. This ensures matches can proceed with minimal disruption, even in rainy conditions.
Timeline
Pre-match: Persistent rain delays the game by four hours 15 minutes.
Match start: Game reduced to 25 overs a side.
Afghanistan innings: Gurbaz scores 102 off 51 balls (eight fours, eight sixes).
Brar debut: Takes 3/27 in 4.5 overs, gets Ibrahim Zadran caught at mid-off.
Arshdeep: Traps Sediqullah Atal, reduces Afghanistan to 16 for two.
Dubey’s debut: Takes 3/47 in 5 overs, removes Shahidi, Omarzai, and GHazanfar.
Afghanistan all out: Bowled out for 194.
India chase: Rohit was run out for 16; Kishan, 34 off 22 out by Rashid.
Gill knock: 84 not out off 66, boundaries against the spin trio.
Rahul cameo: 39 not out off 19, six over extra cover.
Target: India is easy to target in 22.5 overs; win by seven wickets.
Post-match: Match marks start of India’s ODI World Cup 2027 preparations.
Why This Matters
This matters because it marks the start of India’s preparations for the ODI World Cup 2027, and the team ended up ticking most boxes despite rain delays. Gill’s form across three formats and the debut success of Brar and Dubey show India’s strength in batting and bowling.
It also matters for Afghanistan. Gurbaz’s hundred shows his capability in shortened games, but the team couldn’t maximise the platform. This match highlights the competitive nature of international cricket and the importance of adaptability.
For society, this is a reminder that rain delays and challenging conditions can be managed with proper infrastructure, like the sub-air drainage system. Yeh issue kaafi important hai because it shows how India’s preparation for World Cup 2027 is on track and debutants are making their mark.
India Angle
The India angle is strong because India is the host for the ODI World Cup 2027, and this win boosts confidence for the team. Indian fans are excited about Gill’s form and the debut success of Brar and Dubey, which shows India’s depth.
In Hinglish, seedhi baat yeh hai: jab India World Cup ki preparation start karta hai, toh yeh pure desh ko proud karta hai. Gill’s regal knock and debutants’ wickets make Indian fans happy, and this win sets a positive tone for the series.
For Indian readers, this is a reminder that India is building a strong squad for World Cup 2027. The match will be closely watched by fans, and Gill’s performance will be celebrated across the country.
Analysis
My opinion is that this was a commanding win for India, with Gill’s form and debutants’ success showing the team’s strength. Gurbaz’s hundred was impressive, but India held nerve in the chase.
The rain delay was a challenge, but the sub-air drainage system helped. Yeh issue kaafi important hai because it shows India’s preparation for World Cup 2027 is on track and debutants are making their mark.
What Next
India will play the next match in the series, aiming to build on this win and continue testing players for ODI World Cup 2027. Gill’s form and debutants’ success will be key for the team.
Afghanistan will regroup and focus on improving their batting and bowling for upcoming matches. Gurbaz’s form will be crucial for their performance.
The series will continue with more matches, and fans will watch closely to see how India’s preparation progresses. Debutants like Brar and Dubey may get more opportunities based on this performance.
Conclusion
India’s seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the rain-hit ODI opener in Dharamsala marks the start of their preparations for the ODI World Cup 2027. Captain Shubman Gill’s regal 84 not out off 66 balls, Gurnoor Brar’s impressive debut with 3/27, and Harsh Dubey’s 3/47 were key to the victory. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 102 off 51 balls was a memorable knock, but India bowled Afghanistan out for 194 and chased the target in 22.5 overs.
Yeh win kaafi important hai because it shows India’s strength in batting and bowling, and debutants are making their mark. The rain delay was managed with the subair drainage system, and the match set a positive tone for the series. India’s preparation for World Cup 2027 is on track, and Indian fans are excited about Gill’s form and the team’s depth.
Written By A. Jack
