Afghanistan's Captain Analyzes Defeat Against India in ODI Opener

In the first ODI of a three-match series, Afghanistan's captain Hashmatullah Shahidi reflected on his team's performance against India, noting they fell short by about 30 runs. Despite a promising start with Rahmanullah Gurbaz at the crease, a series of quick wickets disrupted their innings. India's bowlers, particularly debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey, played a crucial role in securing a seven-wicket victory. Shahidi acknowledged the team's mistakes and shared insights on their batting strategy. Read on for a detailed analysis of the match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 14, 2026, 00:09 IST

Shahidi Reflects on the Match

Hashmatullah Shahidi, the captain of Afghanistan, shared his thoughts on the team's loss to India, indicating that they were in a strong position for a competitive score when Rahmanullah Gurbaz was batting. However, a series of quick wickets disrupted their innings against the Indian side. Shahidi expressed that they fell short by approximately 30 runs, which could have made a significant difference in the match. He also mentioned that their strategy to target the left-arm spinner did not yield the expected results, and repeated batting errors were detrimental. India's Shubman Gill scored an impressive unbeaten 84, while debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey each took three wickets, leading India to a seven-wicket victory in the first ODI of the three-match series held at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Saturday.

Acknowledging Mistakes

"It was a challenging match. I felt that while Gurbaz was batting, if we could reach 220 or 230 runs, that would be a solid target. Unfortunately, we lost several wickets in quick succession, leaving us about 30 runs short," Shahidi remarked post-match.

"Regarding our batting strategy, I aimed to target the left-arm spinner since the boundary was shorter on that side. Gurbaz played exceptionally well, but after his dismissal, we made critical mistakes. It started with me, and then other batsmen followed suit, which is why we ended up 30 runs short," he added.

India's Dominant Performance

Following the efforts of bowlers Brar and Dubey, who helped dismiss Afghanistan for 194 runs in just 24.5 overs during a rain-affected match limited to 25 overs per side, India's batting lineup showcased a mix of aggression and steadiness. They successfully chased down the target of 195 runs, securing a comfortable seven-wicket victory.