IMAGE: India skipper Shubman Gill celebrates his century in the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow on Wednesday.
Photograph: BCCIKey Points India secured a dominant 170-run victory over Afghanistan in the second ODI, sealing the series 2-0.
Ishan Kishan registered his second ODI century with a powerful 139, contributing to a 224-run partnership.
Prince (2/56) eventually claimed his maiden ODI wicket when he rattled Nangeyalia Kharote's stumps before ending the game with Rahamat's scalp.
Even after reaching his century, Gill battled cramps and exhaustion but continued to anchor the innings with remarkable resolve.
Captain Shubman Gill's masterful 154 and Ishan Kishan's powerful century led India to a dominant 170-run victory over Afghanistan, sealing the ODI series 2-0 despite challenging conditions.
IMAGE: India skipper Shubman Gill celebrates his century in the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow on Wednesday. Photograph: BCCI
Key Points India secured a dominant 170-run victory over Afghanistan in the second ODI, sealing the series 2-0.
Captain Shubman Gill scored a masterful 154, battling intense heat and cramps during his innings.
Ishan Kishan registered his second ODI century with a powerful 139, contributing to a 224-run partnership.
India posted a formidable total of 402, which proved too high for Afghanistan, who were bowled out for 232.
Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar were key bowlers, picking up three wickets each for India.
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Captain Shubman Gill battled intense heat and cramps to produce a masterful 154, while the increasingly confident Ishan Kishan scored a statement century as India recorded a dominant 170-run win over Afghanistan in the second ODI in Lucknow on Wednesday to seal the series.
India have taken a 2-0 unassailable lead in the three-match series.
Gill and Kishan's Record Partnership
IMAGE: Ishan Kishan's blistering knock of 125 off 79 balls contained fourteen boundaries and seven sixes. Photograph: BCCI
Afghanistan's decision to bowl first under the scorching afternoon sun backfired as Gill and Kishan, who scored his second ODI hundred in his comeback series, helped India put up a formidable 402.
The conditions were very demanding throughout the game, with several players struggling with cramps, while Gill also batted with an ice collar.
In fact, the Indian skipper did not return to the field once he got out. Gill and Kishan put the visiting bowlers to the sword with a blistering 224-run stand for the third wicket off just 141 deliveries, completely taking the game away from the opposition.
Afghanistan's Unsuccessful Chase
IMAGE: Gurnoor Brar celebrates the wicket of Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Photograph: BCCI
Chasing more than 400 was always going to be a daunting task for Afghanistan, who were not only fighting to stay alive 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 fighting 79. None of the Afghan batters showed the urgency required for such a chase.
While several top and middle-order batters got starts, they failed to convert them into substantial scores. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (41) and Ibrahim Zadran (21) were unable to provide the flying start Afghanistan needed.
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IMAGE: Sediqullah Atal scored a 50-ball 42 and stitched up a 57-run partnership with Rahmat Shah. Photograph: BCCI
Last match's centurion Gurbaz briefly enjoyed a slice of luck when he miscued a pull shot straight to mid-on, where Arshdeep Singh completed a simple catch.
However, debutant Prince Yadav had overstepped, and the wicket was overturned, denying him his maiden international scalp. The reprieve did not last long as Gurnoor Brar had Gurbaz caught 11 deliveries later.
IMAGE: Arshdeep Singh celebrates the wicket of Ibrahim Zadran. Photograph: BCCI
Darwish Rasooli, who had been stretchered off during India's innings, came out to bat but soon retired hurt because of a hamstring injury.
Prince (2/56) eventually claimed his maiden ODI wicket when he rattled Nangeyalia Kharote's stumps before ending the game with Rahamat's scalp. Arshdeep (3/45) picked up three wickets. Brar (3/60) also continued to impress, while Kuldeep Yadav went wicketless.
India's Batting Experimentation and Individual Brilliance
IMAGE: Shubman Gill hits a boundary. Photograph: BCCI
Earlier, continuing with their experimentation ahead of next year's World Cup, India brought in Yashasvi Jaiswal (4) to open alongside Rohit Sharma (48), with Gill dropping down to No. 3.
However, the young left-hander failed to make the most of the opportunity and departed in the second over.
IMAGE: Ishan Kishan on the attack. Photograph: BCCI
Rohit, meanwhile, looked in fine touch and produced glimpses of his vintage best. The former captain was timing the ball sweetly and appeared set for a big score before being undone by a Rashid Khan googly that produced an inside-edge that clattered into his stumps.
Gill rarely put a foot wrong. The elegant right-hander mixed precision with purity of strokeplay, making batting appear effortless despite the challenging conditions.
IMAGE: Rahmat Shah plays a shot during his knock of 79. Photograph: BCCI
He batted tactfully and was severe when the Afghan bowlers tried to innovate. He drove fluently, cruising to his ninth ODI century.
Kishan, meanwhile, provided the perfect support act before dramatically shifting gears after reaching his fifty. The wicketkeeper-batter, whose confidence has steadily grown in recent months, registered only his second ODI century and his first since the memorable double hundred against Bangladesh in December 2022.
IMAGE: Prince Yadav celebrates the wicket of Rahmat Shah. Photograph: BCCI
Gill's Resilience Amidst Late Collapse
The left-hander's knock was packed with power and innovation. His pulls routinely sent the ball crashing into the advertising boards, while a pair of audacious one-handed sixes highlighted his growing confidence.
The intense heat, however, began taking its toll on Gill as he approached his hundred.
IMAGE: Rohit Sharma provided India a brisk start, stroking 48 off 39 balls. Photograph: BCCI
The Indian captain required treatment on his back after the 34th over and appeared visibly drained.
Even after reaching his century, Gill battled cramps and exhaustion but continued to anchor the innings with remarkable resolve.
Late Collapse After Heroic Efforts
IMAGE: Rashid Khan celebrates the wicket of Rohit Sharma. Photograph: BCCI
Gill's dismissal triggered a batting collapse. Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote (4/76) was the destroyer-in-chief, cleaning up India's middle order, while Rashid Khan picked three wickets.
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IMAGE: Nangeyalia Kharote celebrates with teammates after dismissing Shubman Gill. Photograph: BCCI
India lost seven wickets in the final 10 overs.
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