India crushed Afghanistan by 170 runs in the second ODI of the three match series in Lucknow. After being invited to bat first, India posted a massive 402 runs, powered by brilliant centuries from Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan. Rohit Sharma also played a quick-fire knock of 48 and added 87 runs for the second wicket with Gill. However, the highlight of the match was the explosive 224-run partnership for the third wicket between Gill and Kishan.
Nangeyalia Kharote (4/76 in 10 overs) and Rashid Khan (3/48 in 8 overs) helped Afghanistan pull things back and restrict India to just over 400 after they looked set for an even bigger total.
In reply, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran gave Afghanistan a flying start, adding 52 runs in 7.5 overs. Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal then put together a 57-run partnership for the third wicket. However, when Washington Sundar dismissed Atal in the 24th over, Afghanistan lost momentum. Already under pressure from the steep target, they began losing wickets at regular intervals.
Arshdeep Singh (3/45 in 9 overs), Gurnoor Brar (3/60 in 10 overs), and Prince Yadav (2/56 in 7.3 overs) dismantled the Afghanistan batting line-up. Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 232 with 33 balls remaining, suffering a heavy defeat.
With the victory, India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
Gill-Kishan partnership sets the platform
India’s massive total of 402 came after a brilliant 224-run stand for the third wicket between Gill and Kishan, built off just 141 balls. Shubman Gill scored his ninth ODI century, playing with elegance and control throughout his innings. Ishan Kishan also reached his second ODI hundred, ending a long wait since September 2023.
At one point, India looked set for a total beyond 450. However, Afghanistan fought back well in the final ten overs, taking 7 wickets for 62 runs to limit the damage.
India’s explosive batting display
The innings began with early success for Afghanistan when Mohammad Saleem claimed his first ODI wicket by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal. However, Gill quickly took control with fluent stroke play, including clean cover drives and powerful shots through the off-side.
Rohit Sharma also contributed with aggressive front-foot pulls before falling to Rashid Khan, who briefly slowed India’s momentum with a sharp googly.
Gill reached his fifty off 38 balls, while Kishan started cautiously before shifting gears dramatically. After a slow half-century, Kishan exploded in aggression, hitting boundaries and sixes in quick succession, including a brutal assault on Rashid Khan.
Gill reached his century in just 77 balls, while Kishan also completed his ton in the same over with a burst of boundaries. India were cruising at 193 for 2 after 28 overs and then added 114 runs in the next eight overs.
Late collapse slows India’s finish
Despite the strong platform, India lost momentum in the death overs. Kishan fell after attempting another one-handed six, while Gill went on to score 150 off 109 balls before being dismissed.
Afghanistan’s bowlers, especially Nangeyalia Kharote, applied pressure. Kharote picked up four wickets for 76 runs, including key dismissals of Gill and KL Rahul for a golden duck. Rashid Khan also chipped in with wickets.
India still managed to cross 400, but only just, finishing their innings in the final over with a run-out.
Afghanistan’s chase falls apart
Chasing 403 was always a difficult task, and Afghanistan struggled from the start. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rahmat Shah tried to hold the innings together, but regular wickets and slow scoring made the target unreachable.
Arshdeep Singh struck early by removing Ibrahim Zadran, while Gurnoor Brar dismissed Gurbaz with a sharp delivery. Prince Yadav, despite an early missed chance, also contributed with wickets.
Rahmat Shah fought hard for his 79, but lacked support from the other end. Afghanistan’s scoring rate remained low, with frequent dot balls building pressure throughout the innings.
Indian bowlers dominate
Arshdeep Singh finished with 3 for 45, while Gurnoor Brar took 3 for 60. Prince Yadav also picked up two wickets. Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav applied further control in the middle overs, ensuring Afghanistan never gained momentum.
Even when Sediqullah Atal and Rahmat Shah added a 57-run stand, the required run rate kept climbing above ten per over, making the chase unrealistic.
Afghanistan were eventually bowled out for 232, with Rahmat Shah the last wicket to fall.
Brief Scorecard
