The cricketing world turned its attention to Dharamsala on Saturday, June 13, 2026, as India and Afghanistan squared off in the first of a three-match One Day International (ODI) series. The anticipation was palpable—a contest not just between two teams, but between two cricketing cultures on the rise and a clash that promised high drama with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 looming on the horizon.
Originally scheduled for a full 50 overs per side, the match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium was shaped by the unpredictable mountain weather. Heavy rain delayed the toss for hours, and when play finally began, it was a condensed 25-over shootout—an environment ripe for explosive performances and rapid momentum shifts. Fans tuning in on Willow TV, Star Sports, or streaming via JioHotstar and Fubo knew they were in for something special.
India entered the contest riding the crest of a five-match winning streak, their last defeat a distant memory from the World Cup Super 8 stage against South Africa in February. Since then, they had captured the T20 World Cup against New Zealand and dispatched Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in a one-off Test earlier this month. Yet, the ODI format brings its own set of challenges, and the hosts faced a few of their own. Key stalwarts Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya were absent, sidelined by injuries and workload management. This opened the door for fresh faces—uncapped pacers Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav found themselves in the mix for a debut, and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was expected to play a pivotal role.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, arrived in India with quiet confidence. Under the leadership of Hashmatullah Shahidi and buoyed by a record of five series wins in their last six ODI campaigns, the visitors had every reason to believe they could rattle the hosts. Their squad boasted a formidable spin trio—Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and AM Ghazanfar—capable of turning any match on its head. The pitch in Dharamsala, typically favoring pace, added an extra layer of intrigue, as did the threat of further rain interruptions.
As the clouds finally parted and the players took the field, the match’s opening overs suggested a familiar script. Indian pacers Arshdeep Singh and debutant Gurnoor Brar tore through Afghanistan’s top order, reducing the visitors to a precarious 26 for 3 within just five overs. The Indian crowd roared with delight, sensing another dominant display from their bowlers. But cricket, as ever, is a game of glorious uncertainties—and what followed was nothing short of extraordinary.
Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz strode to the crease with his team in crisis and proceeded to rewrite the record books. The explosive wicketkeeper-batter launched a breathtaking counter-attack, targeting Indian debutant spinner Harsh Dubey and seamer Prasidh Krishna with fearless intent. Gurbaz blazed to a 25-ball half-century, then accelerated even further, reaching his century off just 48 deliveries—the fastest ODI hundred ever by an Afghan cricketer. This remarkable feat shattered the previous national record of 86 balls, set by Mohammad Nabi against Zimbabwe in 2014.
Gurbaz’s innings wasn’t just about speed; it was about seizing the moment. He peppered the boundary with eight fours and cleared the ropes eight times, leaving the Indian fielders and bowlers searching for answers. It was his ninth ODI century, a testament to his growing stature as one of the most destructive white-ball openers in the global game. The partnership with captain Hashmatullah Shahidi proved crucial, as together they transformed a disastrous start into a launchpad for a competitive total in the rain-shortened contest.
In the words of a cricket commentator on LatestLY, "Gurbaz’s 48-ball blitz comfortably broke the previous record for the fastest ODI century by an Afghan cricketer." The impact was immediate and electric—the momentum, once firmly in India’s grasp, had swung decisively towards the visitors. Even as the Indian bowlers looked to regain control, Gurbaz’s fearless strokeplay kept the scoreboard ticking at a breakneck pace.
For India, there were silver linings amid the Afghan onslaught. The debut of Gurnoor Brar added a new dimension to the pace attack, and Arshdeep Singh’s early breakthroughs reminded fans of his growing reputation. The absence of Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya meant opportunities for the next generation, with Nitish Kumar Reddy and others eager to make their mark on the international stage. And in a moment of personal achievement, Rohit Sharma became the oldest Indian men’s cricketer to play an ODI—a milestone that underscored his enduring presence in the squad.
On the Afghan side, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi’s steady hand at the crease complemented Gurbaz’s fireworks, while the team’s vaunted spin attack waited in the wings for their turn to influence proceedings. With the pitch offering pace and bounce, and the possibility of further showers, the contest remained delicately poised as Afghanistan looked to defend their total and India eyed a chase under pressure.
The series itself carries broader significance. With the ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 drawing ever closer, both teams are using these ODIs as a vital testing ground for combinations, strategies, and emerging talent. For Afghanistan, the series represents another step in their evolution as a force in international cricket—a chance to prove they can compete, and win, against the world’s elite. For India, it’s about maintaining momentum, integrating new players, and fine-tuning their approach for the challenges ahead.
Fans across the globe followed every ball, whether on TV, streaming apps, or bundled telecom packages. In India, Star Sports and JioHotstar provided comprehensive coverage, with special recharge plans from Jio, Airtel, and Vi making the action accessible to millions. International viewers tuned in via Willow TV and Fubo, ensuring that this high-stakes clash reached cricket enthusiasts everywhere.
As the match continued, the outcome remained far from certain. Would India’s blend of youth and experience rise to the challenge of chasing a formidable Afghan total? Could Afghanistan’s spinners tighten the screws and force a famous upset on Indian soil? With rain always a factor in the Himalayan foothills, every over promised fresh drama.
One thing was clear: on a day when weather threatened to steal the headlines, it was Rahmanullah Gurbaz who seized the spotlight, delivering a record-breaking century that will live long in Afghan cricket folklore. As both teams look ahead to the rest of the series, fans can only wonder—what more drama awaits in this compelling rivalry?
For now, the cricketing world watches and waits, breathless for the next twist in this remarkable ODI series.