India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI: Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar earn debuts in Dharamshala
Synopsis
India's World Cup preparation threw up two fresh faces on Saturday — left-arm spinner Harsh Dubey and pacer Gurnoor Brar earned their ODI debuts in a rain-reduced 25-over clash against Afghanistan at Dharamshala, with captain Shubman Gill using the series explicitly to trial combinations ahead of the marquee tournament.
Key Takeaways
Harsh Dubey (left-arm spin all-rounder) and Gurnoor Brar (fast bowler) made their ODI debuts for India on 13 June at Dharamshala .
Rain delayed the toss by 4 hours 15 minutes , reducing the match to a 25-overs-a-side contest starting at 5:45 pm IST .
Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl, citing overcast conditions and early assistance for pacers.
KL Rahul bats at number three in Virat Kohli's absence; Ishan Kishan returns as wicketkeeper.
Gill confirmed Yashasvi Jaiswal , Prince , and Kuldeep Yadav were left out of the playing XI.
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi noted this is the first time his side has played India in Indian conditions.
Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar received their international debuts as India captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bowl first in the rain-curtailed first ODI against Afghanistan at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala, on Saturday, 13 June. A four-hour-and-fifteen-minute rain delay reduced the contest to a 25-overs-a-side match, with play beginning at 5:45 pm IST.
Debut Calls and Key Selection Decisions
Harsh Dubey, a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder, and pace bowler Gurnoor Brar are the two uncapped players handed their maiden ODI caps. In the absence of Virat Kohli, KL Rahul has been slotted in at number three, while a returning Ishan Kishan takes over wicketkeeping duties. Notable omissions from India's XI include Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prince, and Kuldeep Yadav, as confirmed by Gill at the toss.
What Gill Said at the Toss
Explaining his decision to bowl, Gill said: 'It's a bit overcast, so the bowlers might get some help. Looks like a good surface, good wicket to bat on, could be something early on for the pacers. It's all about trying different combinations to see what works for us. We're playing around 15-20 ODIs before the World Cup, so it's about trying things. Jaiswal, Prince, and Kuldeep miss out.'
Afghanistan's Approach
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi revealed his side are fielding three seamers — including an all-rounder — and three spinners. Shahidi acknowledged the challenge of playing India on home soil for the first time, saying: 'We did very well in the recent past, but at the same time, it's the first time we are playing India in their own condition. So it's been a tough battle for both sides, and we are excited and ready for that challenge, and hopefully we do well here.' He added that Afghanistan would also have chosen to bowl had they won the toss.
Playing XIs
India: Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Dubey, Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna.
Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Rashid Khan, Mohammad Saleem Safi, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.
Context and What to Watch
This series is part of India's preparation cycle for the upcoming ODI World Cup, with Gill indicating the team will use the next 15-20 ODIs to trial combinations. The compressed format and overcast conditions at Dharamshala set up an intriguing contest between India's pace attack and Afghanistan's experienced batting lineup, anchored by Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz. How the two debutants perform under pressure will be closely watched by the national selectors.
Point of View
The absence of Kuldeep Yadav against a spin-heavy Afghan lineup is a notable gamble, particularly on a Dharamshala surface that could offer turn as the match progresses. Afghanistan's first-ever ODI visit to Indian conditions is also a genuine test of their adaptability — not just India's squad depth.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar making their ODI debut against Afghanistan?
Harsh Dubey is a left-arm spin bowling all-rounder and Gurnoor Brar is a fast bowler, both uncapped at ODI level before 13 June. They were handed their debuts by captain Shubman Gill in the rain-reduced first ODI at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala.
Why was the India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI delayed?
Rain at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala delayed the toss by four hours and fifteen minutes. The match was subsequently reduced to a 25-overs-a-side contest, with play starting at 5:45 pm IST.
Why did Shubman Gill choose to bowl first?
Gill cited overcast conditions at Dharamshala that he expected would assist the bowlers, especially the pacers early on. He also mentioned the series is being used to trial different combinations ahead of the ODI World Cup.
Who is keeping wickets for India in place of the regular keeper?
Ishan Kishan has returned to the squad and is taking wicketkeeping duties in this match. KL Rahul, who often keeps, has been slotted in at number three in Virat Kohli's absence.
Is this Afghanistan's first ODI series in India?
According to Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, this is the first time Afghanistan are playing India in Indian conditions. Shahidi acknowledged it as a tough challenge while expressing confidence in his side's recent form.
