"It's Not About Personal Milestones" — Sunil Gavaskar hails team India's selfless mindset after clinical chase vs Afghanistan in 1st ODI

India is now leading the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan 1-0 after the rain-affected first ODI in Dharamsala, which they won by seven wickets. The game was reduced to 25 overs per side after a rain delay, but India still produced a dominant display with bat and ball.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar praised the team’s selflessness and spoke about how the players were too focused on winning the game rather then thinking about personal milestones

Gavaskar explains what makes this India team different — "They Put the Team First Every Single Time"

Speaking on JioStar's Cricket Live, Gavaskar pointed to KL Rahul's batting near the end of the chase as the perfect example of the team's mindset.

"Before that over from Zia Ur Rahman, he had bowled three overs for just 19 runs. Then KL Rahul took 20 runs off that over. Up until that point, Shubman Gill needed 21 runs to reach his hundred, with about 30 still needed for the team to win. But Rahul took charge," Gavaskar said.

See Also: Watch: Nitish Kumar Reddy pauses his press conference to take a call from his mother — IND vs AFG 1st ODI

"That tells you everything about this team. It's not about personal milestones. It's about what each player can do for the team. To win the match in the 23rd over shows how clinical the chase was. It was a stiff target, not an easy one at all. But they made it look so ridiculously simple because they put the team first."

Gavaskar also praised all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy and explained how valuable he is to the team because of his ability to contribute in multiple roles. "Depending on the pitch and match situation, he gives the captain and selectors flexibility. Pick me as a batter, pick me as a bowler, I am ready. That is a huge plus for any team," he said.

The batting legend was equally impressed with debutant pacer Gurnoor Brar, who made an immediate impact in his first ODI for India. "For a debutant, his control was excellent. His first ball was around mid-140s, moving away from the right-hander. If you can bowl at that pace with the ability to take the ball away, that's gold," he added.

20 runs off one over, win in 23rd — How KL Rahul and Shubman Gill made a stiff chase look ridiculously simple vs Afghanistan

After being asked to bat first, Afghanistan posted 194 runs in 24.5 overs. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was outstanding, smashing 102 off just 51 balls with eight fours and eight sixes. However, he received little support from the other batters as India fought back strongly after his dismissal.

India's debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey impressed with three wickets each, while Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up the important wicket of Gurbaz to stop Afghanistan's momentum.

Chasing 195, India lost Rohit Sharma early but captain Shubman Gill anchored the innings brilliantly. Gill remained unbeaten on 84 from 66 balls, while Ishan Kishan contributed 34 from 22 deliveries. After Shreyas Iyer's dismissal, KL Rahul arrived and changed the game with a quickfire 39 not out from just 19 balls.

See Also: Watch: Shubman Gill takes stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Allah Ghazanfar — IND vs AFG 1st ODI 2026

Rahul's aggressive batting, including a 20-run over against Zia Ur Rahman, ensured India reached 195/3 in just 22.5 overs. Gill was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten knock as India completed the chase with 13 balls to spare.

The second ODI India vs Afghanistan will take place on 17 June 2026 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India looks to seal the series at home while Afghanistan are eyeing a bounce back and leveling the series.