During the first India-Afghanistan ODI at Dharamshala, Shubman Gill delivered a breathtaking moment when he took an incredible one-handed catch to send AM Ghazanfar packing.
The match, which was reduced to 25 overs a side due to rain, had initially been dominated by Afghanistan's explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz, whose sensational century had put the visitors in a commanding position. However, the Indian side mounted a strong comeback towards the end of the innings and it was Gill's sensational fielding display that lit up the game.
AM Ghazanfar was making his way to the crease when Harsh Dubey bowled a slower one outside off stump. Keen to make an impression, the Afghan batter played a pull shot to the ball, getting a thick top-edge that was flying toward the slip cordon.
Gill Pulls Off A Stunning One-Handed Grab
With the ball travelling sharply to Gill's left, there was very little time for the Indian vice-captain to react. However, he reacted quickly and outstretched his left hand, completing a spectacular catch with minimal fuss.
Not just a one-handed dive to the left but Gill also made sure to be in control of the ball when rolling onto the ground. The fantastic grab sent Ghazanfar back to the pavilion without scoring a run and helped Harsh Dubey to his third wicket of the innings.
The moment received massive cheers from teammates and spectators who hailed the effort as one of the greatest catches of the match.
Also Read | Rahmanullah Gurbaz Smashes Fastest ODI Hundred for Afghanistan, Creates History Against India
India Fight Back After Gurbaz Century
Before Gill's remarkable catch, Afghanistan had seized the initiative in the game thanks to a phenomenal hundred from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The keeper-batter slammed 102 off 51 balls with the help of eight boundaries and eight sixes to his name.
Gurbaz's innings gave Afghanistan the momentum they needed to fight back after losing their first three wickets on 26. Hashmatullah Shahidi chipped in with 27 runs, while Azmatullah Omarzai played a quick-fire 26-ball 26.
However, India's bowlers stepped up to the plate following Gurbaz's dismissal. Harsh Dubey was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 wickets while Arshdeep Singh and Nitish Kumar Reddy took two wickets each. Gurnoor Brar scalped a wicket too.
Afghanistan were 183/8 in 22.3 overs with Rashid Khan and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi at the crease at the time of writing.
While Gurbaz's record-breaking hundred was the highlight of the contest, Gill's extraordinary one-handed catch kept India in the game.
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