Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal (BCCI photo)
New Delhi: Fans watching the third ODI between India and Afghanistan in Chennai were surprised when India’s innings began and the score was already 5-0 before the ball was bowled.The unusual start was the result of a five-run penalty awarded to India during Afghanistan’s innings after skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi repeatedly ran into the protected area of the pitch.
Why did India start with a score of 5-0 against Afghanistan?
The incident occurred late in Afghanistan’s innings. The umpires had already warned Shahidi not to enter the danger zone while running between the wickets. Despite the warnings, he again entered the protected area on the final ball in the 39th minute.Initially, there seemed to be confusion about who should face the next ball after taking the odd ball. However, the referees later clarified that Shahidi’s breach of playing conditions resulted in a penalty kick.As a result, the single did not count and India were awarded five penalties, which were added to their score before the chase began. This meant that India started their innings at 5/0 while chasing Afghanistan’s total.
The penalty overshadowed a fighting effort from Shahidi, who scored his maiden ODI century.Earlier, Afghanistan found themselves in deep trouble after being reduced to 36/4 within the first 10 overs. Prasidh Krishna tore through the top order, dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Rahma Shah and Darvesh Rasouli in a devastating opening spell.With Afghanistan on the line, Shahidi and Azmatullah Omarzai led the recovery.
The duo added 105 runs for the fifth wicket, with Umarzai contributing 50 off 56 balls.Shahidi suffered from cramps and pressure from the Indian bowlers but continued to keep the innings together. He eventually reached his maiden ODI hundred in the 44th over and finished with 102 off 131 balls, including 13 fours and a six.However, Afghanistan lost wickets quickly towards the end and were bowled out for 218. Prasidh returned to claim Shahidi as his fifth wicket and finished with career best figures of 5/23.