India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI: Live Score, Highlights & Rohit Sharma’s Milestone

It’s a bright, slightly breezy afternoon at the Narendra Modi Stadium, and the buzz in the stands is unmistakable. India and Afghanistan are set to lock horns in the first One‑Day International of the series, a match that promises plenty of fireworks, not least because the Indian side has a milestone on the line.

The playing‑XI for India looks familiar yet fresh: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gehra, Virat Kohli, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Hardik Pandya, Rahul Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and a surprise inclusion of Sanju Smyth as a backup wicket‑keeper. Afghanistan fields a lean but determined squad led by Hashmatullah Shah Shahi, with Rahman ullah Yasir, Najibullah Zadran and the ever‑energetic Qais Ahmad in the batting order.

As the toss went in India’s favour, the hosts elected to bat first – a decision that makes sense given the dew factor expected later. The openers walked out with confidence, but the early overs were a tussle. Rohit, who is inching toward yet another record, kept his cool, rotating the strike with Shubman and nudging the scoreboard forward with crisp boundaries.

By the time the 20‑over mark rolled around, India were perched at a respectable 120‑2, thanks largely to Rohit’s elegant drive and a half‑century from Shubman. Afghanistan’s bowlers, especially the left‑arm quickness of Qais Ahmad, kept things tight, snatching a few crucial wickets that made the Indian batting line‑up pause.

Mid‑innings drama unfolded when the pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Hardik Pandya added some fireworks of their own. Gaikwad’s wrist‑work was a treat, while Pandya’s power‑hitting sent the ball soaring over the stands more than once. The partnership nudged India past the 200‑run mark, and the crowd’s chants grew louder, a mix of anticipation and celebration.

Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for: Rohit Sharma, on 86 runs, looked set to break the record for most ODI runs scored while captaining India. He clipped a beautiful lofted drive through mid‑wicket for four, and the stadium erupted. The record‑books will now note Rohit as the first Indian captain to surpass 10,000 runs in ODIs – a testament to his longevity and sheer class.

Afghanistan, though, were not just there to watch. Their chase began cautiously, with Yasir and Zadran steady at the crease. The spin of Axar Patel proved a thorn in their side, but a brilliant 30‑run partnership between Gulbadin Naib and Rahmanullah Gurbaz gave them a fighting chance.

As the innings drew to a close, India’s bowlers – particularly the swing of Shami and the accuracy of Bumrah – tightened the screws. Afghanistan fell short, all out for 259, handing India a comfortable 27‑run win.

Post‑match, Rohit’s achievement was the headline, but the team’s collective effort, the strategic field placements, and the occasional lapse that reminded us cricket is a game of fine margins were equally noteworthy. Fans left the stadium buzzing, already speculating about the next encounter.

For anyone who missed the live action, the scorecard tells a story of resilience, a bit of luck, and a captain who keeps writing his own legend. Stay tuned for the second ODI – it promises more excitement, perhaps another record, and definitely more cricketing drama.