The Indian cricket team delivered a masterclass in all-round performance at the historic M, while chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, securing a comprehensive 9-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the third and final One Day International. This victory allowed India to complete a 3-0 clean sweep in what was the first-ever bilateral ODI series played between these two nations. The Men in Blue dominated the proceedings from the start, ensuring that the visitors had no room to stage a comeback in the final encounter of the series.
Afghanistan's Batting Struggles and Shahidi's Century
The match began with Afghanistan winning the toss and deciding to bat first, hoping to put up a challenging total on the board. However, their plans were quickly dismantled by the Indian pace attack. 2 overs, during which they managed to score 218 runs before being bowled out. The highlight of their batting was a resilient century by captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, who scored 102 runs off 131 deliveries. Shahidi played a crucial role in steadying the ship after early wickets fell, finding support in Azmatullah Omarzai, who contributed a solid 50 runs. The two shared a vital partnership for the fifth wicket, which was the only significant resistance offered by the Afghan side. Despite their efforts, the rest of the batting lineup struggled to cope with the pressure exerted by the Indian bowlers, leading to a below-par total on a Chennai track that usually offers more to the batsmen.
Prasidh Krishna's Career-Best Bowling Performance
The Indian bowling effort was led by Prasidh Krishna, who was in exceptional form. Krishna made an immediate impact by picking up 4 wickets during the powerplay overs, effectively breaking the backbone of the Afghanistan top order. 2 overs, marking his first-ever five-wicket haul in ODI cricket. His disciplined line and length made it nearly impossible for the Afghan batsmen to score freely. Krishna was well-supported by the rest of the bowling unit, with Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, and Prince Yadav each claiming 1 wicket. Also, the Indian captain Shubman Gill showed great agility on the field, contributing to the team's success by executing 2 run-outs, which further restricted Afghanistan's ability to build long partnerships.
Jaiswal and Rohit's Explosive Opening Partnership
Chasing a target of 219 runs, the Indian openers, Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, came out with an aggressive intent. They made the chase look remarkably easy, putting together a massive opening stand of 170 runs that took the game away from Afghanistan. Rohit Sharma played a vintage knock, scoring 79 runs off 69 balls. His innings was punctuated with 9 boundaries and 3 sixes, as he took on the Afghan bowlers with ease. Although Rohit eventually lost his wicket, the foundation for a comfortable victory had already been firmly established, while the partnership ensured that India remained ahead of the required run rate throughout the innings, leaving the Afghan bowlers searching for answers.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's Unbeaten Century Seals the Win
The star of the Indian chase was Yashasvi Jaiswal, who continued his phenomenal rise in international cricket. Jaiswal remained unbeaten on 110 runs, reaching the milestone in just 86 balls. His innings was a perfect blend of caution and aggression, featuring 14 fours and 3 sixes. This was Jaiswal's second century in ODI cricket, and it played a pivotal role in India reaching the target with 9 wickets to spare. His ability to find gaps and clear the ropes at will kept the scoreboard ticking and ensured that India finished the series on a high note. The 9-wicket win not only secured the series sweep but also highlighted the depth and talent in the current Indian squad as they look forward to future challenges. The clinical nature of the victory in Chennai serves as a testament to India's dominance in the 50-over format against the rising Afghan side.