India vs Afghanistan – 2nd ODI Score: Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan centuries lead India to win the series against Afghanistan

Captain Shubman Gill’s masterful 154 and Ishan Kishan’s powerful century led India to a dominant 170-run win over Afghanistan, clinching the ODI series 2-0 despite difficult conditions.

IMAGE: India skipper Shubman Gill celebrates his century in the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow on Wednesday. Photo: Bank of Credit and Commerce

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Skipper Shubman Gill endured blistering heat and cramps to produce a masterful 154, while an increasingly confident Ishan Kishan scored a century in total as India registered a dominant 170-run win over Afghanistan in the second ODI in Lucknow on Wednesday to seal the series.

India took a 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

Gill and Kishan’s record partnership

IMAGE: Ishan Kishan’s powerful knock of 125 off 79 balls contained fourteen boundaries and seven sixes. Photo: Bank of Credit and Commerce

Afghanistan’s decision to bowl first under the blazing afternoon sun backfired as Gill and Kishan, who registered his second ODI hundred in his comeback series, helped India post a massive 402.

Conditions were extremely difficult throughout the match, with several players suffering from cramps, while Gill was also struck by an ice collar.

In fact, the Indian skipper did not return to the field once he left. Gill and Kishan put the visiting bowlers on a blistering stand of 224 runs for the third wicket off just 141 deliveries, taking the game completely away from the opposition.

The failed Afghanistan hunt

Image: Jurnor Brar celebrates the wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Photo: Bank of Credit and Commerce

Chasing 400-plus was always going to be an uphill task for Afghanistan, who were not only fighting for their survival in the series but were also seeking their first ever win over India in any format.

However, they were bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs despite Rahmat Shah’s batting 79. Neither Afghan batsman showed the urgency required for such a chase.

While many top and middle order batsmen have started, they have failed to convert them into big hits. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (41) and Ibrahim Zadran (21) were unable to provide the quick start Afghanistan needed.

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IMAGE: Siddiqullah Atal scored a 50-ball 42 and struck up a 57-run partnership with Rahmat Shah. Photo: Bank of Credit and Commerce

Last overs centurion Gurbaz briefly enjoyed a slice of luck when he miscued a shot straight to mid-off, where Arshdeep Singh completed a simple catch.

However, he was overtaken by Prince Yadav, the debutant, and the wicket turned, denying him his first ODI. The reprieve was short-lived as Gurnor Brar bowled Gurbaz 11 deliveries later.

Image: Arshdeep Singh celebrates Ibrahim Zadran’s goal. Photo: Bank of Credit and Commerce

Darvish Rasouli, who was stretched out during India’s innings, came out to bat but soon retired with a hamstring injury.

Prince (2/56) eventually got his first ODI wicket when he rattled the stumps of Nangeyalia Kharote before ending the match with a merciful scalp. Arshdeep (3/45) picked up three wickets. Brar (3/60) also continued to impress, while Kuldeep Yadav went wicketless.

India’s batting experience and individual brilliance

Image: Shubman Gill hits the boundaries. Photo: Bank of Credit and Commerce

Earlier, to continue their experiment ahead of next year’s World Cup, India brought in Yashavi Jaiswal (4) to open alongside Rohit Sharma (48), with Gill dropped to third.

However, the left-handed youngster failed to make the most of the opportunity and departed in the second.

Photo: Ishan Kishan during the attack. Photo: Bank of Credit and Commerce

Meanwhile, Rohit looked in good form and showed glimpses of his best. The former captain was timing the ball nicely and looked set for a big score before being pushed back by Rashid Khan whose inside shot hit the stumps.

Jill rarely makes a mistake. She blended elegant right-hand precision with purity of play, making batting appear effortless despite difficult conditions.

IMAGE: Rahmat Shah plays a shot during a knock of 79. Photo: Bank of Credit and Commerce

He batted gracefully and was intense when the Afghan bowlers tried to innovate. He drove fluently, hitting his ninth ODI century.

Meanwhile, Kishan provided exemplary support before changing course dramatically after turning 50. The wicket-keeper-batsman, whose confidence has steadily increased in recent months, scored only his second ODI century and first since his memorable double hundred against Bangladesh in December 2022.

IMAGE: Prince Yadav celebrates Rahmat Shah’s wicket. Photo: Bank of Credit and Commerce

Generation resilience amid late collapse

The left-handed stroke was full of power and innovation. His pulls routinely sent the ball crashing into the advertising hoardings, while a pair of bold one-handed strikes highlighted his growing confidence.

However, the extreme heat started to affect Jill as he approached 100.

Photo: Rohit Sharma gave India a brisk start, hitting 48 off 39 balls. Photo: Bank of Credit and Commerce

The Indian captain needed treatment on his back after 34 minutes and looked visibly exhausted.

Even after reaching his century, Gill suffered from cramps and fatigue but continued to nail the innings with remarkable determination.

Late collapse after heroic efforts

IMAGE: Rashid Khan celebrating the wicket of Rohit Sharma. Photo: Bank of Credit and Commerce

Gill’s dismissal led to the collapse of the batting. Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote (4/76) was the chief destroyer, cleaning up India’s middle order, while Rashid Khan picked three wickets.

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Image: Nanjialia Kharoot celebrates with her teammates after Shubman Gill’s dismissal. Photo: Bank of Credit and Commerce

India have lost seven wickets in the last 10 overs.

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