How Gautam Gambhir became the unlikely architect of the 2nd fastest ODI hundred against India

Rahmanullah Gurbaz played one of the most devastating knocks against India in ODI cricket. Gurbaz, batting in the first ODI of the three-match series, lit up 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 his century, which was also the fastest ever by an Afghan batsman in ODI history.

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GURBAZ CREDITS GAUTAM GAMBHIR

Speaking about 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 batsman credited Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir with his 48-ball hundred in Dharamsala.

Gurbaz revealed that he had a long talk with Gambhir after Afghanistan’s one-off Test match against India. The batsman said India’s head coach helped him with his shot selection, which showed on Saturday at the HPCA Stadium where he scored 102 off 51 balls.

“I had a very good chat with GG after the test match sir. The discussion we had really helped me and I worked on those points during the matches at the net. I am very thankful because after the test match I went to Gautam Gambhir sir and told him that I want to improve my shot selection,” Rahmanullah Gurbaz said in a 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,” Gurbaz added.

Gurbaz was the only 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 off 30 balls by Hashmatullah Shahidi.

Gambhir’s advice seemed to be reflected in Gurbaz’s innings on 13 June, where the batsman repeatedly stepped off the track and pulled the fast bowlers through the line. Anything pitched marginally short was cut furiously by the square of the wicket.

Gurbaz’s confidence was evident in the way he continued to attack after surviving an LBW appeal and a chance at the end. Instead of retreating into his shell, Gurbaz continued the Indian attack, which boasts a strong bowling line-up. With better support from the other end, Gurbaz’s knock could have helped Afghanistan to a much bigger total on Saturday. However, the visitors were eventually bowled out for 194 in the rain-restricted 25-over contest.

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Issued by:

Kingshuk Kusari

Published on:

13 Jun 2026 20:42 IST