On a day of Gs, India cruises past Afghanistan in a rain-hit game

In the space of two weeks, Shubman Gill has played in all three formats and seamlessly adapted to each one of them.

A 732-run IPL season was followed by a Test century against Afghanistan. Facing the same opponent but in the ODI format, the India skipper extended his purple patch, striking a well-composed unbeaten 84 (66b, 11×4, 2×6) to help the Men in Blue clinch a seven-wicket win in a rain-truncated first game of the three-match series at the HPCA Stadium here on Saturday.

Persistent rain from morning meant the start was delayed by more than four hours. The covers came off only at 4.40 p.m, consigning the contest to 25 overs per side.

Chasing 195, Gill was at his sublime best in a knock filled with elegant drives and good use of the feet against the spinners. Though watchful at the start, the right-hander switched gears later and neutralised the Afghan spin threat, collecting three boundaries off AM Ghazanfar.

He welcomed Rashid Khan by swinging through the line over long-on before launching Mohammad Nabi for a brace of boundaries and a six to bring up his half-century.

The opener found an able ally in Ishan Kishan. The duo added 70 for the second wicket, bringing the asking rate under seven. While the visitors briefly fought back with two wickets, K.L. Rahul (39 n.o., 19b, 4×4, 3×6) snuffed out any hopes when he plundered 20 runs off Ziaur Rahman in the 22nd over. The hosts cantered home with 13 balls to spare.

Earlier, Rahmanullah Gurbaz showcased his striking ability in a scintillating effort of 102 (51b, 8×4, 8×6) to help Afghanistan post 194.

Despite his team being reduced to 26 for three at the end of the PowerPlay (five overs) — thanks to Arshdeep Singh and debutant Gurnoor Brar’s fiery opening spells — Gurbaz counter-punched by being clear-headed while often taking the aerial route.

The Afghan opening batter was severe on Prasidh Krishna, nonchalantly lofting the pacer down the ground, over the covers, and ramping him over short-third.

He did not spare the spinners either, hitting two maximums each off Harsh Dubey and Washington Sundar en route his ninth ODI century, which came off just 48 deliveries.

However, once Nitish Kumar cleaned up Gurbaz, the Afghan innings came undone as the away side lost the last seven wickets for just 52 runs.

It was the opening India needed, and Gill’s men capitalised on it to take a 1-0 lead.