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NEW DELHI: India head coach Gautam Gambhir could not hide his admiration as KL Rahul produced a moment of sheer class in the first ODI against Afghanistan, with his animated reaction from the dugout quickly becoming a talking point during the seven-wicket victory in Dharamsala on Saturday.A video shared by the BCCI captured Gambhir’s mouth and eyes wide open after Rahul launched Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi for a breathtaking six over extra cover in the 22nd over of the chase. The stunning stroke left the former India opener visibly stunned as India closed in on victory.The maximum came on the final ball of the over when Rahul leaned into a pitched-up delivery outside off stump and produced an exquisite lofted cover drive that sailed over the ropes. The shot capped off a 20-run over and took India to 182/3, virtually sealing the contest. Rahul wrapped up the chase five deliveries later with a boundary.WATCH: Gambhir’s reaction to Rahul’s six
Gill and Rahul complete comfortable chase
Chasing 195 in the rain-reduced 25-overs-a-side encounter, India recovered from the run-out of Rohit Sharma to ease home in 22.5 overs.Captain Shubman Gill led from the front with an unbeaten 84 off 66 balls, carrying his superb form across formats into the ODI series opener. Ishan Kishan marked his return to the format with a fluent 34, while Rahul finished unbeaten on 39 from just 19 deliveries.Gill and Rahul added an unbroken partnership that ensured there were no further hiccups after Rashid Khan had dismissed Kishan with a trademark googly.
Debutants shine despite Gurbaz hundred
Earlier, Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz played a sensational knock of 102 off just 51 balls to rescue his side from 26/3 after India had opted to bowl first.The aggressive right-hander smashed eight fours and eight sixes and looked set to take the game away from the hosts before India’s bowlers fought back strongly.Debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey made impressive starts to their international careers, claiming three wickets apiece. Brar’s pace and movement with the new ball troubled the Afghan batters, while left-arm spinner Dubey recovered from an expensive start to finish with figures of 3/47.Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with two wickets as Afghanistan were bowled out for 194 in 24.5 overs.India’s all-round performance gave them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
