In a commanding performance at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, India secured a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the third and final ODI on Saturday, completing a 3-0 series whitewash. The win was highlighted by Yashasvi Jaiswal's scintillating century, Rohit Sharma's aggressive half-century, and Prasidh Krishna's devastating five-wicket haul.
Afghanistan Innings: Shahidi's Maiden Ton in Vain
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan faced an early onslaught from Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna, who reduced them to 36 for 4 inside 10 overs. Krishna's lethal spell saw him claim the wickets of Rahmanullah Gurbaz (4), Rahmat Shah (5), Ibrahim Zadran (11), and Darwish Rasooli (1), with Rohit Sharma taking sharp catches at slips.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi then anchored the innings with a resilient 102 off 131 balls, featuring 13 fours and a six. He found support from Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored a steady 50 off 56 balls with five fours and two sixes. The duo added 105 runs for the fifth wicket, reviving Afghanistan's hopes.
However, once Prince Yadav broke the partnership by dismissing Omarzai, Afghanistan's lower order collapsed. Mohammed Nabi contributed 21, but Rashid Khan (5), Allah Ghazanfar (1), and Fareed Ahmad (0) fell cheaply. Krishna finished with exceptional figures of 5 for 23, while Prince, Harsh Dubey, and Gurnoor Brar took one wicket each. Afghanistan were bowled out for 218 in 44.2 overs.
India's Chase: Jaiswal and Rohit Dominate
Chasing 219, India got a bonus of five runs due to a penalty against Afghanistan for running in the danger area. Openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma then launched a ferocious assault on the Afghan bowling attack.
Jaiswal was particularly aggressive, reaching his maiden ODI half-century in just 38 balls, with seven fours and a six. Rohit, after a lean patch, found his form with a 47-ball fifty, hitting six fours and two sixes. The pair added 170 runs for the first wicket in 22.5 overs, with Jaiswal dominating the spinners, especially Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi.
Rohit eventually fell for 79 off 69 balls, caught at deep midwicket off Nabi's bowling. Shreyas Iyer joined Jaiswal, who brought up his second ODI century with a six off 83 balls, finishing unbeaten on 110 off 86 balls, with 14 fours and three sixes. Iyer remained not out on 20 off 19 balls, and India reached the target in 28.4 overs with nine wickets in hand.
Key Performances
- Yashasvi Jaiswal: 110* off 86 balls (14 fours, 3 sixes) – Player of the Match
- Rohit Sharma: 79 off 69 balls (9 fours, 3 sixes)
- Prasidh Krishna: 5 for 23 in 9.2 overs
- Hashmatullah Shahidi: 102 off 131 balls (13 fours, 1 six)
India's dominant all-round performance ensured a clean sweep, while Afghanistan's fightback through Shahidi and Omarzai provided some resistance but ultimately fell short.
