Shahidi's Ton in Vain as Krishna's Fifer Limits Afghanistan
Indian fast bowler Prasidh Krishna claimed a career-best five wickets for 23 runs to dismiss Afghanistan for 218 in the third ODI in Chennai. Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi resisted the onslaught with a maiden international century, but his solo effort could not prevent a comprehensive collapse exacerbated by a five-run penalty for a procedural infringement.
How did Prasidh Krishna dismantle the Afghanistan top order?
Opting to bat first, Afghanistan found themselves paralysed at 36 for four. Krishna discovered the perfect length on the Chepauk pitch, delivering a four-wicket burst during his opening spell. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Rahmat Shah all attempted to drive outside the off-stump, only to offer regulation catches to Rohit Sharma at first slip. The pattern was telling: the batters were lured into a false sense of security, paying the price for overreach. Darwish Rasooli also fell attempting to pull the pacer, with Shreyas Iyer taking a fine catch running from mid-off. Krishna joined an elite list of Indian pacers, including Jasprit Bumrah and Javagal Srinath, to claim four wickets inside the first ten overs.
Can individual brilliance rescue a struggling team?
At 36 for four, a total capitulation seemed inevitable. Yet, Shahidi marshalled the remaining resources with the discipline of a seasoned leader. The left-hander absorbed the pressure, taking 131 balls for his hundred, while Azmatullah Omarzai provided the counterpunch with an aggressive 50 off 56 balls. Their 105-run partnership off 117 balls was a masterclass in balancing defence with opportunity. Omarzai struck sixes off spinners Harsh Dubey and Washington Sundar before a feeble pull off Prince Yadav ended his resistance.
Shahidi and Omarzai mount the recovery
Shahidi played the anchor flawlessly, using late cuts and delicate dabs to pierce the gaps. He reached his half-century in 64 balls. Even as cramps seized him after he passed eighty, the Afghan skipper continued undeterred, raising his maiden ODI century off 128 balls with a characteristic late cut off Sundar. Mohammad Nabi offered brief support in a 57-run stand, but once he departed, the lower order crumbled rapidly. Shahidi had to summon his last ounce of energy to drag Afghanistan past the 200-run mark.
Why was Afghanistan penalized five runs?
In a moment that encapsulated the day's frustrations, the tourists were handed a five-run penalty after Shahidi ran on the pitch's danger zone on the last ball of the 39th over. It was a bureaucratic intervention that further penalized a side already struggling against the sheer weight of India's bowling attack. In sport, as in governance, arbitrary penalties often compound the damage inflicted by natural forces, in this case, Krishna's relentless pace and precision.
Who scored a century for Afghanistan in the third ODI?
Hashmatullah Shahidi scored 102 runs off 131 balls for Afghanistan.
What were Prasidh Krishna's bowling figures?
Prasidh Krishna recorded career-best ODI bowling figures of 5 wickets for 23 runs.