In oppressive Lucknow heat, Shubman Gill leads India to 1st series win
Brief Score, IND vs AFG: India (402 all out in 49.5 overs). Shubman (154), Ishan (125) bowled out Afghanistan (232 – all out in 44.3 overs). Arshdeep Singh (3/45) by 170 runs in Lucknow.
In a stadium where it was impossible to even sit in the sun, Shubman Gill’s India played uneven cricket for 95 overs to take a 2-0 lead against Hashmatullah Shahidi’s Afghanistan and hand the young captain victory in his first ODI series in charge.
At Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium, a select few fans who had bought expensive tickets for the lower seats quickly left their seats and climbed the stairs to sit in the upper tiers, given the shade offered by the stadium’s roof.
One of the broadcaster’s camera crew collapsed in the afternoon, unable to bear the oppressive Lucknow sun. In this run, Shubman Gill’s India batted first, batted 49.5 overs and scored a massive 402 runs.
Heat was the theme of the day as the Indian Cricket Board allowed both teams one extra drinks break, three instead of two, and the teams rushed in with ice towels to cool down their players.
IND vs AFG, 2nd ODI Highlights | Scorecard
Sent in to bat first, captain Shubman Gill fought off cramps to produce a magnificent 154 while Ishan Kishan ended his three-year wait for an ODI hundred as India piled up an imposing 402 against Afghanistan in the second match on Wednesday.
Gill and Kishan (125) put the visiting bowlers to the sword with a blistering stand of 224 runs for the third wicket off 141 deliveries, laying the foundation for India’s formidable total after being asked to bat.
India continued to experiment ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, bringing in Yashasvi Jaiswal (4) to open alongside Rohit Sharma (48), with Gill dropping to No.3.
However, the young left-hander did not take advantage of this opportunity and left in the second overtime.
Meanwhile, Rohit looked in touch and produced flashes of the best of his year. The former skipper timed the ball sweetly and looked set for a big score before a googly from Rashid Khan undone him as he produced an inside edge and hit his stumps.
Gill then took charge of the innings and rarely made a mistake. The elegant right-hander combined accuracy with purity of stroke, making the batting look effortless despite the challenging conditions.
He batted tactfully and was stern when the Afghan bowlers struggled to innovate. He drove smoothly and cruised to his ninth ODI century. The milestone was especially sweet as it was also his first ODI century as captain.
Kishan, meanwhile, provided perfect support before the dramatic shift after reaching his fifty. The wicketkeeper, whose confidence has grown steadily in recent months, scored only his second ODI century and his first since a memorable double hundred against Bangladesh in December 2022.
The left-hander’s tapping was full of power and innovation. His strokes routinely sent the ball crashing into the billboards, while a pair of gutsy one-handed sixes highlighted his growing confidence.
Kishan reached his second fifty in just 19 balls and eventually fell after a scintillating innings of 79 balls.
However, the intense heat began to take its toll on Gill as he neared his hundred. The Indian skipper required treatment on his back after the 34th over and looked visibly exhausted.
Even after Gill reached his century, he battled cramps and exhaustion but continued to anchor the innings with remarkable determination. After taking India deep into the final overs, his excellent knock came to an end in the 43rd over when an uncharacteristic reverse sweep attempt found deep cover.
Gill’s dismissal triggered a batting collapse and India failed to bat their 50 overs and were bowled out for 402.
Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote (4/76) was the main destroyer who cleaned up the Indian middle order while Rashid Khan picked three wickets.
THE DRAINED AFGHANS BARELY FIGHTED
Hashmatullah Shahidi’s decision to field in the sweltering heat of Lucknow backfired badly for the team. Exhausted and tired after 50 overs, Afghanistan had little energy left when they came into bat.
Opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz was lucky to aim for 41 (33 balls) before sending the ball to wicketkeeper KL Rahul.
Sediqullah Atal looked the most solid of the batsmen today but his stay was ended by seamer Washington Sundar. Sediq could feel hard done by the umpire as the ball would hit the leg stump on the umpire’s call.
The Afghans did not show the intent needed to chase down the 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, injured his hamstring and was forced to retire due to the injury.
The series now shifts to Chennai where the weather is expected to turn worse. However, rain is expected at the venue, which could spoil the final match.
– The end
Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
17 Jun 2026 21:44 IST