A first in 55 years: Rohit – Yashasvi sets a historic ODI cricket record at The Oval
Something that had never happened in 55 years, Rohit created a massive One-Day International (ODI) cricket record at The Oval even before the match began
While chasing a target of 219 runs in the third ODI against Afghanistan, India created history by scoring 23 runs in the very first over. Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal took full advantage of a poor over from the opposition bowler.
In the third ODI played against Afghanistan at M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal made history as soon as they walked onto the field. After a five-wicket haul by Prasidh Krishna, India began its chase of 219 runs in explosive fashion.
The Indian team scored a record 23 runs in the first over of the innings, something that had never happened in more than 55 years of India’s ODI cricket history. This became India’s highest-ever score in the first over of an ODI innings.
Five runs added to India’s score without a single legal delivery
India got off to a flying start. In fact, because of several mistakes made by the Afghanistan side during the first innings, India’s score opened with five runs even before a legal ball was bowled. These runs were awarded to India as a penalty.
After that, the opening pair of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal put the bowler under tremendous pressure and smashed 18 more runs off the next six deliveries. As a result, at the end of the first over, India had raced to 23 runs without losing a wicket.
Afghan bowler’s line and length went completely astray
The over featured a barrage of wides, no-balls, and boundaries, delighting the fans in the stadium. During this historic over, the opposition bowler delivered four extra balls—two wides and two no-balls—which the Indian openers exploited fully.
Rohit and Jaiswal displayed excellent timing and aggressive intent, hitting three powerful boundaries in the over. Their attacking approach completely disrupted the plans of Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, whose strategies were undone in the very first over of the innings.
A 22-year-old record shattered
By scoring 23 runs in the very first over, Team India broke a 22-year-old ODI record. Before this, India’s highest score in the opening over of an ODI innings was 22 runs, achieved against Bangladesh in Colombo in 2004.
Most runs scored by India in the first over of an ODI innings:
- 23 runs vs Afghanistan, Chennai (2026)
- 22 runs vs Bangladesh, Colombo (2004)
- 20 runs vs Australia, Sydney (2020)
The explosive opening stand by Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal helped India rewrite the record books, setting a new benchmark for the highest score ever scored by India in the first over of an ODI match.
Rohit’s and Yashasvi’s explosive and historic start made it clear from the very beginning that the Indian team was not going to give Afghanistan any chance to stay in the contest in this final match. And that is exactly what happened.
India went on to win the match by nine wickets. With this victory, Team India also completed a clean sweep against Afghanistan, winning the series convincingly.
The aggressive opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal set the tone for India’s dominant performance throughout the match.
Some questions and answers
How many wickets did India defeat Afghanistan?
India defeated Afghanistan by nine wickets in the third match of the ODI series. With this victory, India won the three-match series 3–0, completing a clean sweep
How many runs did Afghanistan score?
Afghanistan scored 219 runs against India. India successfully chased down this target and won all three matches of the series, completing a 3–0 clean sweep.
