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Rahmanullah Gurbaz: Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz said a conversation with India head coach Gautam Gambhir after the recent Test match in New Chandigarh helped him refine his shot selection, as he struck a blazing hundred in the rain‑hit first ODI against India at the HPCA Stadium on Saturday.

Gurbaz’s blazing knock of 102 off 51 balls was the centrepiece of Afghanistan’s batting effort. With some outstanding clean striking, Gurbaz raced to his ninth ODI hundred in just 48 balls – the fastest by an Afghanistani batter and the second fastest against India in ODIs.

“After the Test match, I had a very good conversation with Gautam Gambhir, sir. That discussion really helped me. I worked on those ideas in the nets, and I’m very grateful for the guidance.