Rahmanullah Gurbaz played one of the most destructive knocks ever against India in ODI cricket. Batting in the first ODI of the three match series, Gurbaz lit up the Dhauladhar with a 48-ball hundred, the second-fastest century ever scored against India in the 50 over format.
Gurbaz’s innings kept Afghanistan alive in a match where the rest of the batting line-up struggled against the Indian bowlers. Gurbaz hit 8 fours and 8 sixes on his way to the century, which was also the fastest ever by an Afghan batter in ODI history.
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GURBAZ CREDITS GAUTAM GAMBHIR
Speaking at the mid innings break, Rahmanullah Gurbaz spoke in detail about his knock and the person who worked behind the scenes to help him produce such a destructive innings. To everyone’s surprise, the Afghan batter credited India head coach Gautam Gambhir for his 48 ball hundred in Dharamsala.
Gurbaz revealed that after Afghanistan’s one off Test match against India, he had a long conversation with Gambhir. The batter said that the India head coach helped him with his shot selection, something that reflected at the HPCA Stadium on Saturday where he scored 102 off 51 balls.
“After the Test match I had a very good conversation with GG sir. The discussion we had really helped me, and I worked on those points during the net sessions. I’m very grateful because after the Test match, I went to Gautam Gambhir sir and told him that I wanted to improve my shot selection,” Rahmanullah Gurbaz said at the mid innings interview.
“He gave me some positive advice and areas to work on, and I benefited from that today. I tried to play positively, and it helped me,” Gurbaz added.
Gurbaz was the lone man standing in Afghanistan’s innings as the visitors managed 194 runs against India in their first ever bilateral ODI against the Men in Blue. After Gurbaz’s hundred, the next highest score was 27 from 30 balls by Hashmatullah Shahidi.
Gambhir’s advice appeared to reflect in Gurbaz’s innings on June 13, where the batter repeatedly stepped down the track and lofted the fast bowlers through the line. Anything pitched marginally short was fiercely cut square of the wicket.
Gurbaz’s confidence was evident in the way he continued to attack after surviving an LBW appeal and a run-out chance. Instead of retreating into his shell, Gurbaz kept taking on an Indian attack that boasts a strong bowling line up. With better support from the other end, Gurbaz’s knock could have helped Afghanistan post a much bigger total on Saturday. However, the visitors were eventually bowled out for 194 in a rain-curtailed 25-over contest.
– Ends
