India registered a comprehensive win against Afghanistan in the rain-curtailed first ODI, which was played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Saturday, June 13. The match was reduced to 25 overs per side after rain delayed the start of play by a few hours.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed 102 off 51 balls but the rest of the Afghanistan batters failed to live up to their potential. The tourists were bowled out for 194 in 24.5 overs. In reply, India romped home in 22.5 overs with
seven wickets to spare. Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 84 off 66 deliveries, while KL Rahul made 39* off 19 balls.
Sunil Gavaskar said that the Indian players want the team to win and are not focused on personal milestones. Elaborating on this, Gavaskar highlighted how KL Rahul accelerated and scored the bulk of the runs at the back end of the innings even when Gill was approaching his century.
"Before that over from Zia Ur Rahman, he had bowled three overs for just 19 runs. Then KL Rahul took 20 runs off that over. Up until that point, Shubman Gill needed 21 runs to reach his hundred, with about 30 still needed for the team to win. But then Rahul took charge. That tells you everything about this team. It's not about personal milestones. It's about what each player can do for the team. To win the match in the 23rd over shows how clinical the chase was. It was a stiff target, not an easy one at all. But they made it look so ridiculously simple because they put the team first," Gavaskar said JioStar’s ‘Cricket Live’.
Gavaskar said that Nitish Kumar Reddy is ready to contribute consistently with both facets of the game - batting and bowling - after the all-rounder picked up two wickets in four overs on Saturday. The former India captain underscored the yorker he bowler to dismiss a well-set Gurbaz.
"Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up a huge wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz with a perfect yorker. If you can nail yorkers like that, you become a valuable asset. Every time he tried something fancy, it went for runs. But every time he went back to the yorker, it worked. You do need to be aware of the batter's intent. If he is a scooper, you might not want to bowl too many yorkers. But that delivery, right under the bat, the batter moved away, but the seam position was perfect and the landed right under the bat. It knocked off the middle stump, and he got out a centurion," the cricketer-turned-expert said.
So, here's the takeaway. India now have a player in Nitish Kumar Reddy who can fill the role of a fifth or sixth bowler. Depending on the pitch and match situation, he gives the captain and selectors flexibility. 'Pick me as a batter, pick me as a bowler, I am ready.' That is a huge plus for any team," he added.
I was very impressed with Gurnoor Brar: Gavaskar
Gurnoor Brar made his international debut on Saturday and so did Harsh Dubey. While both of them picked up three wickets apiece, it was Brar that impressed the most among all the Indian bowlers. The 26-year-old bowled consistently over 145 kph and got steep bounce from the surface. His accuracy was also commendable, and he earned rich praise from Gavaskar.
"I was very impressed with Gurnoor Brar. He bowled a tight line and length. His pace was good, and he got the ball to move just a little, not too much. You don't need extravagant swing on debut. Control is more important. For a debutant, his control was excellent. What he has done is unbelievable. He looks a very good prospect. His first ball was around mid-140s, moving away from the right-hander. Anyone will tell you, if you can bowl at that pace with the ability to take the ball away, that's gold. Add decent control, good height, and the ability to hit the splice of the bat – you deserve that first wicket. He showed all those qualities. Very promising start," Gavaskar stated.
Meanwhile, Graeme Swann explained why the second ODI, which is going to be played at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, June 17, will be a tougher challenge for India.
"India won the first ODI of the three-match series in Dharamshala with ease. But the Lucknow ODI could be much more interesting. Among all pitches in India, Lucknow is one where spin bowling can really trouble batters. The ball grips, turns, and doesn't come onto the bat easily. Afghanistan's strength is their spin attack. If India bat first and have to face their spinners on that surface, it could turn into a tight, low-scoring contest. I don't think this series is over by any stretch of the imagination. Afghanistan have the bowling to challenge India, especially in these conditions. But credit where it's due, India have made a very professional start."
