New Delhi: India captain Shubman Gayle produced a stunning moment in the rain-shortened first ODI between India and Afghanistan in Dharamsala, lighting up the match with a one-handed screamer as India tightened their grip on the 25-over contest. The catch came at a crucial stage as Afghanistan looked to recover from a chaotic middle innings, but Gayle’s quick reflexes snuffed out another crucial breakthrough attempt in style.The dismissal came in 21.4 overs when Harsh Dubey dropped one. Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar tried to hit a big shot, only to get a thick top edge that slipped towards the ball. Gill reacted instantly, diving to his left and thrusting a hand out to complete a sensational grab, ensuring control as he fell to the ground. The batsman was dismissed for 0 off 2 balls, and India chipped away at the Afghan lower order.See:In the end, India bowled out the visitors for 194 in 24.5 overs.Gill reacted immediately, diving fully to his left and landing a one-handed stunner.Earlier, Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Garbaz scored a brilliant 102 off 51 balls, who dominated the power play and middle overs with 8 fours and 8 sixes. However, once he fell to 142, the innings opened up quickly. Indian bowlers attacked intermittently. Arsdeep Singh took the opening two wickets, while debutant Gurnoor Brar took three wickets including the last wicket of Rashid Khan and Ziaur Rahman Sharifi. Harsh Dubey also picked up three wickets removing key batsmen Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai and Ghazanfar.Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up two wickets, while Prasidh Krishna and Washington Sundar supported the attack in a disciplined effort. Despite Garbaz’s explosive century, Afghanistan went from 142 for 3 to 194 all out, losing their last seven wickets for just 52 runs.
