Gurbaz's 48-ball ton in vain: India bowl out Afghanistan for 194 in 1st ODI
Synopsis
Rahmanullah Gurbaz's 48-ball hundred — the fastest by an Afghan in ODIs — threatened to blow India away, but debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey had other ideas. Their three-wicket hauls on debut restricted Afghanistan to 194 in a rain-reduced 25-over contest at Dharamshala, handing India a competitive target and two new bowling names to watch.
Key Takeaways
Afghanistan were bowled out for 194 in 24.5 overs in the 1st ODI at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala on 13 June .
Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored 102 off 48 balls — the fastest century by an Afghan batter in ODIs and the second fastest by any batter against India in the format.
Debutant Gurnoor Brar finished with 3-27 and Harsh Dubey with 3-47 , both impressing on debut.
Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy took two wickets each ; Reddy's slower yorker dismissed Gurbaz for 102 .
The match was reduced to 25 overs per side after a four-hour 15-minute rain delay .
Barring Gurbaz, Hashmatullah Shahidi (27) and Azmatullah Omarzai (26) , no other Afghan batter reached double figures.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz blazed a stunning 102 off 48 balls — the fastest century by an Afghan batter in the 50-over format — but debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey claimed three wickets apiece as India dismissed Afghanistan for 194 in the rain-hit opening ODI at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala, on Saturday, 13 June. The match, reduced to a 25-overs-a-side contest after a four-hour 15-minute rain delay, saw India's bowling unit recover smartly after being taken apart by Gurbaz in the middle overs.
Gurbaz's Blazing Century
Afghanistan's innings began in disarray, with Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, and Rahmat Shah all falling inside the powerplay. Gurbaz, who survived an lbw appeal on 14 — India chose not to review — took time to read the pitch before unleashing a brutal assault on the Indian back-up bowlers. His hundred, laced with eight fours and eight sixes, arrived off just 48 balls, making it the second fastest century by any batter against India in ODIs. A remarkable 78 percent of his runs came in boundaries.
At one stage, Afghanistan appeared on course to breach 220, particularly during a 116-run partnership between Gurbaz and Hashmatullah Shahidi — struck at a run-rate exceeding ten. The stand gave Afghanistan's innings its only real backbone, with Shahidi contributing 27 and Azmatullah Omarzai adding a brisk 26. No other Afghan batter crossed single digits.
India's Debutants Shine
The turning point came when Nitish Kumar Reddy pinned Gurbaz with a precise slower yorker for 102, immediately halting Afghanistan's momentum. Left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey recovered from an expensive start to take three crucial wickets — removing Shahidi, Omarzai, and AM Ghazanfar — finishing with figures of 3-47. Lanky right-arm pacer Gurnoor Brar marked his debut with a composed 3-27, castling Rashid Khan with pace and later having Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi caught at long-on.
Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with two wickets each, as India's collective bowling effort reined in Afghanistan after the early carnage. Washington Sundar, Dubey, and Prasidh Krishna had borne the brunt of Gurbaz's hitting, but the team regrouped effectively in the closing overs.
Match Context and Conditions
The prolonged rain delay — spanning over four hours — tested the patience of fans at the HPCA Stadium before the match was trimmed to a 25-over affair. That the crowd stayed and witnessed Gurbaz's fireworks made the spectacle worthwhile, even as India ultimately asserted control with the ball. Notably, this is the first ODI between the two sides at this venue, and Gurbaz's innings will be remembered as one of the most explosive knocks seen at Dharamshala.
Brief Scores
Afghanistan 194 all out in 24.5 overs (Rahmanullah Gurbaz 102, Hashmatullah Shahidi 27; Gurnoor Brar 3-27, Harsh Dubey 3-47) vs India.
India's reply is awaited as the match continues.
Point of View
When it clicks at the top, can dismantle any attack — and India's back-up bowlers looked vulnerable during his assault. The more telling story, however, is the composure shown by two debutants: Brar and Dubey did not panic, stuck to their plans, and delivered when it mattered. India's bowling depth is clearly deeper than the first ten overs suggested, but the middle-overs economy figures of Washington Sundar and Prasidh Krishna will need attention ahead of the next game.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Afghanistan in the 1st ODI against India at Dharamshala?
Afghanistan were bowled out for 194 in 24.5 overs at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala, on 13 June. The match was reduced to 25 overs per side due to a lengthy rain delay.
How fast was Rahmanullah Gurbaz's century against India?
Gurbaz reached his hundred off just 48 balls, making it the fastest century by an Afghan batter in ODI cricket and the second fastest by any batter against India in the format. His innings included eight fours and eight sixes.
Who were India's top wicket-takers in the 1st ODI against Afghanistan?
Debutants Gurnoor Brar (3-27) and Harsh Dubey (3-47) were India's standout bowlers, each claiming three wickets. Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy supported with two wickets apiece.
Why was the match reduced to 25 overs per side?
A rain delay of four hours and 15 minutes forced officials to reduce the 1st ODI between India and Afghanistan to a 25-overs-a-side contest at Dharamshala's HPCA Stadium.
How did India dismiss Gurbaz after his century?
Nitish Kumar Reddy dismissed Rahmanullah Gurbaz for 102 with a pinpoint slower yorker, which immediately stalled Afghanistan's momentum and allowed India's bowlers to wrap up the innings for 194.
