Brief Score, IND vs AFG: India (402-all-out in 49.5 ovs). Shubman (154), Ishan (125) beat Afghanistan (232-all out in 44.3 ov). Arshdeep Singh (3/45) by 170 runs in Lucknow.
In a stadium where even sitting in the sun was not possible, Shubman Gill’s India played a lopsided game of cricket for 95 overs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead against Hashmatullah Shahidi’s Afghanistan, handing the young captain victory in his first ODI series in charge.
At Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium, the select few fans who bought expensive tickets for the lower seats swiftly left their places and climbed the stairs to sit in the upper tiers, given the shade offered by the stadium roof.
One of the camera crew members of the broadcasting unit collapsed in the afternoon, unable to bear the oppressive sun of Lucknow. In that heat, Shubman Gill’s India, sent in to bat first, batted 49.5 overs and scored a massive 402 runs.
The heat was the theme of the day, as the Indian Cricket Board allowed one extra drinks break for both teams, three instead of two, and teams rushed in with ice towels to cool their players.
IND vs AFG, 2nd ODI Highlights | Scorecard
Sent in to bat first, captain Shubman Gill battled cramps to produce a magnificent 154 while Ishan Kishan ended a three-year wait for an ODI hundred as India piled up a formidable 402 all out against Afghanistan in the second match here on Wednesday.
Gill and Kishan (125) put the visiting bowlers to the sword with a blistering 224-run stand for the third wicket off 141 deliveries, laying the foundation for India’s imposing total after being asked to bat.
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.
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 and crashed into his stumps.
Gill then took charge of the innings and rarely put a foot wrong. The elegant right-hander mixed precision with purity of strokeplay, making batting appear effortless despite the challenging conditions.
He batted tactfully and was severe when the Afghan bowlers tried to innovate. He drove fluently, cruising to his ninth ODI century. The milestone was especially sweet as it was also his first ODI century as captain.
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.
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.
Kishan reached his second fifty in a mere 19 balls and eventually fell after a sparkling 79-ball innings.
The intense heat, however, began taking its toll on Gill as he approached his hundred. 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. Having carried India deep into the final overs, his outstanding knock ended in the 43rd over, when an uncharacteristic attempted reverse sweep found deep cover.
Gill’s dismissal triggered a batting collapse and India failed to bat out their 50 overs and were bowled out for 402.
Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote (4/76) was the destroyer-in-chief, cleaning up India’s middle order, while Rashid Khan picked three wickets.
DRAINED OUT AFGHANS BARELY PUT UP A FIGHT
Hashmatullah Shahidi’s decision to field in the sweltering heat in Lucknow backfired heavily on the team. Drained and tired after fielding for 50 overs, Afghanistan had little energy left when they came out to bat.
Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz rode his luck to 41 (33 balls) before edging the ball to wicketkeeper KL Rahul.
No. 3 Sediqullah Atal looked the most solid among the batters today, but his stay was ended by a Washington Sundar slider. Sediq might feel hard done by the umpire, as the ball would have hit leg stump on umpire’s call.
The Afghans did not show the intent needed to chase a target of 403 and were eventually bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs.
The heat also took its toll on middle-order batter Darwish Rasooli, who cramped up, hurt his hamstring and was forced to retire hurt due to injury.
The series now moves to Chennai where the weather conditions are expected to be worse. However, rain is expected at the venue, which could potentially wash out the final game.
– Ends
