S as Shubman, S as Stunner: Is this the biggest catch by an Indian in ODIs?

Shubman Gill left the Dharamsala crowd in disbelief with a sensational catch during the first ODI between India and Afghanistan on Saturday, June 13. The Indian skipper produced a moment of brilliance in the slips to dismiss Afghanistan’s Allah Ghazanfar, which immediately sparked debate as to whether it ranks among the greatest slip catches ever taken.

A stunning effort came from the bowling of Harsh Dubey. The delivery, which was bowled slower and narrowly outside off, tempted Ghazanfar into an ambitious backstroke. However, the batter only managed a strong top edge that flew quickly to the left of first slip.

India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI | Update | Scorecard

Gill reacted in a flash, diving full in and extending his left hand to complete a breathtaking one-handed catch. Even as he slumped to the ground, he showed remarkable control to ensure the ball remained securely in his grasp. The layoff capped a moment of extraordinary athleticism and showed Gill’s sharp reflexes and excellent fielding ability.

INDIA INVOLVES AFGHANISTAN AFTER A CENTURY OF GURBAZ

Afghanistan posted a challenging total in the rain-curtailed first ODI in Dharamsala, but the Indian bowlers managed to pull things back after a blistering start from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The Afghan opener was in devastating form, break the record 48-ball century and attacked the Indian bowlers right from the start.

His innings became the fastest ODI hundred by an Afghan batter and the fastest century in an ODI between India and Afghanistan. He also became the second Afghan batsman after Mohammad Shahzad to hit an ODI hundred against India.

India initially struggled to contain Gurbaz as he threw himself into pace and spin. However, the home side struck at crucial moments and were helped by some crisp passing, including a sensational one-handed catch by Gill to dismiss Ghazanfar. Harsh Dubey, one of India’s ODI debutants, also impressed as the bowlers prevented Afghanistan from running away from the game completely.

Despite Gurbaz’s heroics, India clawed their way back in the latter stages of the innings, picking up wickets regularly and restricting Afghanistan to 194 in 24.5 overs in a 25-over-a-side contest.

– The end

Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

13 Jun 2026 20:39 IST