India completed a commanding 3-0 ODI series sweep over Afghanistan with a crushing nine-wicket victory in the third and final ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The hosts produced another dominant all-round performance, with Prasidh Krishna’s five-wicket haul and Yashasvi Jaiswal’s unbeaten century helping India finish the series undefeated and underline the depth of their white-ball squad.

Having already secured the series after victories in Dharamsala and Lucknow, India entered the Chennai encounter looking to complete a clean sweep. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to bat first, while India made three changes to their playing XI for the dead rubber. KL Rahul was among those rested as the team management continued to assess options ahead of future assignments.

Afghanistan Post 218 Despite Shahidi Century

Afghanistan’s innings revolved around a determined century from captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. The left-hander scored 102 off 131 deliveries and held the innings together as wickets continued to fall around him. Azmatullah Omarzai provided valuable support with a brisk 50 from 56 balls, but Afghanistan struggled to build substantial partnerships against India’s disciplined bowling attack.

The star of India’s bowling effort was Prasidh Krishna, who delivered one of his finest ODI performances. The pacer finished with outstanding figures of 5 for 23 in 8.2 overs, repeatedly breaking through Afghanistan’s batting lineup and preventing the visitors from accelerating. His spell effectively ensured Afghanistan could only reach 218 before being bowled out in 44.2 overs.

Prasidh’s performance also produced a unique statistical milestone. Alongside Rohit Sharma, he became part of the first bowler-fielder combination in India’s ODI history to account for three catches in a single innings, with Rohit taking three catches off Prasidh’s bowling. The achievement came in India’s 1,078th ODI and highlighted the precision of both the bowler and the veteran fielder.

India Begin With a Rare Five-Run Head Start

An unusual incident added intrigue to the chase before a ball had even been bowled. India started their innings at 5/0 after Afghanistan were penalized five runs because of a fielding-related infringement. The penalty handed India an immediate advantage and left spectators surprised to see runs already on the board at the start of the chase.

India then made an explosive start that rewrote the record books. The opening over yielded 23 runs, the highest score India has ever managed in the first over of an ODI innings. The aggressive beginning immediately shifted momentum further in the hosts’ favour and signaled their intent to finish the chase quickly.

Jaiswal Answers Critics With Magnificent Century

The spotlight before the match had been firmly on Yashasvi Jaiswal. The left-handed opener had returned to India’s ODI setup after a lengthy gap and had managed only four runs in the previous match. With competition for places expected to intensify once Virat Kohli returns from injury, Jaiswal entered the game under pressure to produce a significant score.

He responded in emphatic fashion.

Jaiswal played one of the finest ODI innings of his young career, remaining unbeaten on 110 from just 86 balls. The century was his second in ODI cricket and the 10th international hundred of his career. He reached the three-figure mark in only 83 deliveries, showcasing the attacking approach that has made him one of India’s most exciting young batters.

His innings combined elegance with power and ensured Afghanistan’s modest target never looked challenging. Jaiswal’s knock was particularly significant given the scrutiny surrounding his place in the ODI side and the increasing competition among India’s next generation of batters.

Rohit Sharma Provides Ideal Support

While Jaiswal grabbed the headlines, Rohit Sharma played a crucial role at the other end. The experienced opener scored 79 from 69 balls and shared a dominant opening partnership that effectively ended the contest within the first half of the chase. Rohit’s fluency allowed India to maintain relentless pressure on Afghanistan’s bowlers and ensured the required run rate remained comfortably under control throughout the innings.

The pair dismantled Afghanistan’s attack with a mixture of calculated aggression and intelligent strokeplay. By the time Rohit departed, India had already moved within touching distance of victory. Jaiswal then remained unbeaten to guide the team home.

India eventually reached 224 for 1 in just 28.4 overs, winning by nine wickets with a remarkable 128 balls to spare. The comprehensive nature of the victory reflected India’s superiority across all three departments throughout the series.

Gill Delighted With India’s Progress

Stand-in ODI captain Shubman Gill expressed satisfaction after the clean sweep, stating that the team had “ticked a lot of boxes” during the series. India experimented with batting positions and personnel throughout the three matches, and the management will be encouraged by the success of several players competing for long-term roles.

The series also marked a successful leadership stint for Gill. India won the opening ODI in Dharamsala by seven wickets in a rain-shortened contest, with Gill scoring an unbeaten 84. The hosts then sealed the series in Lucknow, where Gill smashed a brilliant 154 off 110 balls and Ishan Kishan blasted 125 off 79 deliveries in a 170-run victory.

Across the three matches, India’s batting depth was evident. Gill, Ishan Kishan, Rohit Sharma and Jaiswal all produced major contributions, while the bowling unit consistently dismantled Afghanistan’s batting order. The performances of emerging players such as Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey further strengthened India’s growing pool of white-ball talent.

India’s Dominance Continues

The series highlighted the gulf between the two sides. Afghanistan showed flashes of resistance through players such as Shahidi, Omarzai and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but they were unable to sustain pressure against a strong Indian lineup. India remained unbeaten throughout the series and continued their impressive record against Afghanistan in ODI cricket.

For India, the biggest positives were the performances of players fighting for permanent places in the squad ahead of major tournaments, including the 2027 ODI World Cup cycle. Jaiswal’s century, Gill’s leadership, Kishan’s resurgence and Prasidh Krishna’s match-winning spell provided plenty of reasons for optimism.

By the end of the Chennai encounter, India had not only completed a 3-0 whitewash but also demonstrated the strength, flexibility and depth of a squad increasingly focused on building toward future global events. With a nine-wicket victory, a record-breaking start to the chase, a century from Jaiswal and a five-wicket haul from Prasidh Krishna, the final ODI served as a fitting conclusion to a thoroughly dominant series for the Men in Blue.

With inputs from agencies

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