India’s convincing victory over Afghanistan in the opening ODI at Dharamsala belonged to two players at opposite ends of their international journeys. While debutant Gurnoor Brar announced himself on the big stage with an impressive spell of fast bowling, captain Shubman Gill once again demonstrated why he remains one of the world’s premier ODI batters.The rain-curtailed contest saw India secure a comfortable seven-wicket win and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, but for Brar, the match marked the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.The Punjab pacer, who earned his maiden India cap after strong domestic performances, admitted that excitement rather than pressure dominated his thoughts before stepping onto the field.“Obviously, I wouldn’t say there was pressure but there was excitement…like, I have to do well for India, I have to bowl well. Obviously, everyone wants to give their best here and I was doing the same. I just had to give my best and with God’s grace it went well,” Brar said during a conversation with Gill in a video shared by the BCCI.Brar justified the selectors’ faith immediately. Operating with genuine pace, he consistently crossed the 145 kmph mark and touched 148.2 kmph during a memorable spell that yielded figures of 3/27.The 26-year-old, who has collected more than 50 wickets in 18 first-class matches and impressed in last season’s Vijay Hazare Trophy, said receiving his first international wicket brought an instant sense of calm.“It’s a special feeling, like all the hard work has finally paid off, all the grind like I did in this heat…yeah it’s a special moment.“(The first wicket) yeah, it’s like a milestone that you just have to cross. When that first wicket happened suddenly it brought a sense of relief like ‘now there’s no tension’.”Gill then reminded Brar about his first wicket, which came when Ibrahim Zadran miscued a catch high into the air. The India captain jokingly asked whether the debutant was worried the chance might go down.Brar’s response drew a smile.“Since you were under it, I knew it wouldn’t be dropped.”Despite Brar’s breakthrough performance, Afghanistan remained competitive thanks to a sensational innings from Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who blasted 102 from only 51 deliveries to propel the visitors to 194.India’s chase, however, was controlled by Gill. The skipper remained unbeaten on 84 and carefully managed the pursuit on a surface that was not entirely straightforward for batting.Explaining his approach, Gill said he entered with a clear objective of staying till the end and finishing the match himself.“So, when I went in to bat, my main thing was that I wanted to be there till the end. I wanted to finish the game for the team. And, you know, the way I was expecting the start, that start didn’t come. So, I knew I had to grind a bit. The wicket was good, but it was a bit sticky,” Gill said.“The ball was turning a bit and seaming slightly. So I thought if I could get through that period, the game would become easier and easier.“Then once the runs started coming, I would find my rhythm. Obviously, you feel very good when you plan something and and everything goes according to the plan.”Gill’s calculated knock ensured there were no late hiccups as India completed the chase in 22.5 overs. While the captain guided the hosts home with another mature ODI innings, Brar left Dharamsala with memories that will last a lifetime after a dream debut in Indian colours.
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