India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI India Complete 3 0 Sweep with Dominant Nine Wicket Win

India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI India Complete 3 0 Sweep with Dominant Nine Wicket Win

India wrapped up the Afghanistan ODI series in emphatic fashion, securing a commanding nine wicket victory in the third and final ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The hosts completed a clean 3-0 sweep, with fast bowler Prasidh Krishna delivering a match-winning performance and the batting unit finishing the chase with remarkable ease.

The India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI showcased India's depth, discipline, and growing confidence as they outplayed Afghanistan in all departments.

Scorecard

India won by 9 wkts

AFG

218(44.2)

IND

224/1(28.4)

Prasidh Krishna Leads the Bowling Charge

After Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to bat first, India struck immediately through Prasidh Krishna. The right-arm pacer removed the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz with the very first ball of his spell and never looked back.

Prasidh continued to exploit the pace and bounce available on the Chennai surface, dismissing Rahmat Shah, Ibrahim Zadran, Darwish Rasooli, and eventually Shahidi to complete his maiden ODI five wicket haul.

His exceptional figures of 5 for 23 in 8.2 overs completely dismantled Afghanistan's top order and ensured the visitors remained under pressure throughout the innings.

Supported by disciplined spells from Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav, and Gurnoor Brar, India maintained control despite a fighting effort from Afghanistan's skipper.

Hashmatullah Shahidi Fights a Lone Battle

While wickets kept falling around him, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi produced a courageous innings under difficult circumstances.

The left-hander compiled his maiden ODI century, scoring 102 runs from 131 deliveries with 13 boundaries and one six. His innings was a perfect blend of patience and determination as he battled quality bowling and physical discomfort caused by cramps late in the innings.

Shahidi found valuable support from Azmatullah Omarzai, who scored an entertaining 50 from 56 balls. Their 105-run partnership briefly revived Afghanistan's hopes after the early collapse.

However, once Omarzai departed, the visitors struggled to build momentum and were eventually bowled out for 218 in 44.2 overs.

India Chase with Authority

Chasing 219 for victory, India approached the target with confidence and aggression. The opening partnership provided a solid platform, ensuring there would be no surprises in the chase.

India's batters looked comfortable against the Afghanistan bowling attack and never allowed the required run rate to become an issue. The visitors failed to make early breakthroughs, and the hosts steadily marched toward the target.

The successful chase reflected India's batting depth and maturity, as they completed the task with nine wickets in hand and plenty of overs remaining.

A Statement Performance Before Bigger Challenges

The series victory highlighted several positives for India. Prasidh Krishna's return to form was arguably the biggest takeaway, with the pacer demonstrating control, pace, and the ability to generate bounce consistently.

Young players such as Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav, and Gurnoor Brar also gained valuable international experience, while the batting unit continued to display consistency under captain Shubman Gill.

For Afghanistan, Shahidi's century and Omarzai's half-century were encouraging signs, but the inability of the top order to handle India's new-ball attack ultimately proved costly.

As the series concludes, India will be pleased with a comprehensive 3-0 result. The Chennai victory was a perfect example of their dominance, combining world-class bowling, disciplined fielding, and professional batting to secure another memorable ODI triumph.