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LUCKNOW — India clinched an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan on Wednesday, courtesy of a masterfully calculated 170-run victory at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium. The triumph marks a flawless beginning for young skipper Shubman Gill, securing his first-ever series win as India’s One-Day International captain.
The Masterclass: Twin Centuries Subjugate Afghan Bowlers
After Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bowl under punishing, oppressive summer heat, India rebounded from the early loss of Yashasvi Jaiswal to pile on a monumental 402 total in 49.5 overs.
The foundation was built on a breathtaking 224-run partnership between captain Shubman Gill and a ferocious Ishan Kishan. Both batters remarkably brought up their centuries within the exact same over.
Shubman Gill anchors the innings with an elite captain’s knock of 154 runs off 110 deliveries, featuring 22 boundaries and 2 sixes. Along the way, he became the third-fastest Indian batsman to hit the 150-run milestone in an ODI innings (108 balls).
Ishan Kishan unleashed absolute carnage on the visitors, smashing a lightning-fast 125 off just 79 balls, packed with 14 boundaries and 7 colossal sixes.
Earlier in the afternoon, veteran Rohit Sharma set a brisk tone at the top with a quick-fire 48 off 39 balls, ensuring the Afghan bowling unit remained on the back foot from the onset. Nangeyalia Kharote was the pick of the bowlers for Afghanistan, picking up 4 wickets, though they came at a hefty cost of 76 runs.
The Chase: Afghan Resistance Crumbles Under Mammoth Target
Challenged with a steep asking rate of over 8 runs per over, the Afghanistan batting lineup never looked comfortable mounting a sustained counter-offensive against a disciplined Indian bowling attack.
BatsmanRunsBalls FacedDismissal Mode
Rahmat Shah7989Caught at deep fine leg off Brar
Sediqullah Atal4250Dismissed by Prince Yadav
Rahmanullah Gurbaz4133Dismissed by Arshdeep Singh
Despite a valiant, anchor-like innings from top-scorer Rahmat Shah (79), Afghanistan lacked the explosive power hitting required in the middle overs.
The Indian pace battery systematically dismantled the opposition’s momentum. Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar tore through the lineup, bagging 3 wickets apiece. Debutant Prince Yadav made an impactful entrance into international cricket, successfully picking up 2 wickets for 56 runs to wrap up the tail, bowling Afghanistan out for 232 in 44.3 overs.
Stat Attack: This match etched itself into the history books as the first time two Indian batsmen hit ODI centuries in 80 balls or fewer in the exact same innings, and only the eighth instance globally in cricket history.
With the trophy already secured, a buoyant Indian unit will head to Chennai for the final ODI match on June 20, eyeing a definitive 3-0 series whitewash.
