On the basis of captain Shubman Gill’s brilliant innings of 84 runs, the Indian team defeated Afghanistan by 7 wickets in the first ODI match played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on Saturday. Due to continuous rain since morning, the match had to be reduced to 25-25 overs. India achieved the target of 195 runs given by Afghanistan by losing 3 wickets in just 22.5 overs and took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

IND vs AFG 1st ODI: Captain Shubman Gill’s captaincy innings, India defeated Afghanistan by 7 wickets

Rain disruption and huge delay in toss

Drizzling rain continued in Dharamshala since Saturday morning. Due to this, the game could not start on time due to the ground being wet. After repeated inspections by the umpires, the toss was finally completed at 5:15 pm, which was about 3 hours and 45 minutes behind schedule. Indian captain Shubman Gill won the toss and decided to bowl first and the match started at 5:45 pm.

Gurbaz’s century went in vain, Afghan team was reduced to 194.

Afghanistan, who came to bat first after losing the toss, did not have a good start, but opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz kept one end in check. Gurbaz batted brilliantly and scored a century. However, Indian bowlers stopped Afghanistan from moving towards a big score by taking wickets at regular intervals. Despite Gurbaz’s century, the entire Afghan team was all out for 194 runs in 24.5 overs. There was tight bowling from India, which restricted the pace of runs in the last overs.

India’s easy win with Gill’s half-century

Captain Shubman Gill gave a fast start to the Indian team chasing the target of 195 runs. Gill played the match-winning captaincy innings of 84 runs, hitting shots all around the field. Indian batsmen adopted an aggressive stance and did not give any chance to Afghanistan’s bowlers to dominate. Team India scored 195 runs losing only 3 wickets in 22.5 overs and won the match.

Traffic and spectators condition around the stadium

Due to rain since morning, cricket lovers had to face problems at the main gates of the stadium and on Kachari Road. Due to the delay in the toss, thousands of fans were seen waiting outside the stadium wearing umbrellas and raincoats. Due to the match ending late in the evening, there was a huge traffic jam after the match at Sheela Chowk and McLeodganj Road in Dharamshala, which the local police administration had to work hard to clear.