Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbazstole the spotlight in Dharamsala with a blistering century against India in the rain-shortened first ODI. The match was reduced to 25 overs per side, but Gurbaz made full use of the conditions, smashing 102 off just 51 deliveries. His ninth ODI hundred featured a flurry of boundaries and fearless stroke play before he was eventually dismissed by Nitish Kumar Reddy.

The innings came soon after Afghanistan’s one-off Test defeat to India. Following the ODI, Gurbaz approached Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir with a special request, and Gambhir was happy to oblige. The two share a connection from their time together at Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.

"After the Test match, I had a very good conversation with Gautam Gambhir sir (and) that discussion really helped me. I worked on those ideas in the nets, and I'm truly grateful for the guidance. When the Test match ended, I told him that I wanted to improve my shot selection. He shared some positive ideas, and I was able to apply them today. I just tried to play positively, and it worked for me," said Gurbaz to broadcasters.

Despite Gurbaz’s sensational century, Afghanistan were bowled out for 194 in 24.5 overs, as the rest of the batting line-up failed to provide substantial support. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi was the only other batter to cross 20, scoring 27 before being dismissed by Harsh Dubey in the 17th over. India’s debutants impressed with the ball, as Brar and Dubey shared six wickets between them, while Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with two wickets each.

In reply, India chased down the target comfortably, thanks largely to captain Shubman Gill’s fluent 84 off 66 deliveries. His match-winning knock guided the hosts to a convincing seven-wicket victory, giving India a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The second ODI will happen in Lucknow on Wednesday, June 17 followed by final game on June 20 in Chennai.