The Shubman Gill-Ishan Kishan booth offers a look at India’s 2027 ODI World Cup schedule

Shubman Gill (L) and Ishan Kishan (R) put on 224 runs during the second ODI between India and Afghanistan. (OR) TimesofIndia.com in Lucknow: It’s no secret that Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir strongly believes in the combination of left and right bats.The foundation of India’s T20I template was built on this principle. With Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma in the top six, India have several southpaws to disrupt the bowling plans. In contrast, the ODI setup has largely been dominated by right-handers. Even during the Champions Trophy, the team management was forced to promote Axar Patel to No.5 to break this monotony. There has been much talk of injecting some left-handers into the mix, but the batsman has maintained a consistent look since the 2023 ODI World Cup. There were some moves based on the game situation, but they had a right-handed flavor. After the Champions Trophy climax, India lost the ODI series against Australia and South Africa and Virat Kohli’s injury opened up an opportunity to stir things up a bit. The thinktank wasted no time: Ishan Kishan walked in at No.3 in the rain-curtailed ODI in Dharamsala and Yashasvi Jaiswal started Rohit Sharma, forcing Gill to walk in at one down in the second run in Lucknow.While the top left-right combination didn’t work as Jaiswal was dismissed cheaply, Gill and Kishan stitched together a 224-run stand for the third wicket. The partnership had it all: elegant pull play, towering sixes, relentless running between the wickets and complete dominance of the opposition attack. In 140 deliveries, the pair offered a compelling glimpse of what India’s batting plan could look like for the 2027 ODI World Cup.The heat was unrelenting and played a significant role in shaping the Indian innings. Temperatures hovered above 40 degrees Celsius throughout and the players were visibly struggling to cope. Although three official drinking breaks were scheduled, batsmen were repeatedly encouraged to drink fluids between matches and even wore ice packs around their necks. The pair battled cramps and the Indian skipper looked completely exhausted before his innings ended.

Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill entertained the crowd at the Ekana Cricket Stadium with 224 runs off 140 balls in Lucknow. (NOT a photo)

Despite the unforgiving conditions, the 13,000 crowd at the Ekana Stadium gave plenty to cheer about. A batting exhibition of the highest quality awaited those who braved the extreme heat.After his man-of-the-match effort in the first ODI, Gill reasserted his authority with a magnificent 154 off 110 balls, studded with 22 fours and two sixes. It was also his first ODI century as Indian captain.Gill was at his dominant best. After Jaiswal’s early release, he walked in and picked up right where he left off in Dharamsala. His cover drives were regal while his flicks, cuts and strokes showcased the full range of his stroke.India are highest in ODIs for the third wicket:

• 237* runs – Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in 1999
• 233* runs – Virat Kohli and KL Rahul in 2023
• 224 runs – Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli in 2009
• 224 runs – Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill in 2026
• 221 runs – Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh in 2009

At the other end, Kishan started cautiously before shifting gears. The left-hander raced to a 71-ball century, only the second ODI hundred of his career after his famous double century against Bangladesh in December 2022.Once settled, Kishan became the aggressor in the partnership. He quickly caught up with his captain and launched sixes on the ground. It was a fascinating contrast of styles. Gill’s shifts resembled classical music, built on timing, balance and elegance. Kishan brought a rock and roll element, generating immense power through his strong bottom hand and fearless intent. One produced excellent discs; other battered pitchers with cross-strikes and rising strikes.

With 125 runs from 79 balls, Ishan Kishan hit his second ODI century against Afghanistan in the second ODI in Lucknow. (AP)

Kishan’s second fifty came in just 19 deliveries as the pair stepped up their game. Both batsmen reached their centuries in the same period and at that stage India seemed to be well on their way to a total of over 450.Kishan was eventually dismissed for 125 when Nangeyalia Kharote induced an error which was safely deposited at deep mid-wicket. His innings contained 14 fours and seven sixes. Meanwhile, Gill was dealing with severe cramps and found it difficult to convert singles into doubles. Realizing his physical limitations, he shifted gears and aimed for the limit more often. He passed the 150-run mark before he mistimed a switch hit in the sweeper field and departed for 154.However, India’s middle and lower order failed to capitalize on this platform. In their eagerness to clear the ropes, wickets fell in bunches and the innings lost momentum during the closing stages.

Shubman Gill smashed his maiden century as India’s ODI captain during the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow. (OR)

For Gill and Gambhir, however, the partnership itself may have been the biggest asset. The right-left combination constantly forced the Afghan bowlers to change their lines and lengths, disrupting the pitch setting and preventing the opposition from settling into a rhythm. More importantly, he combined two contrasting batting styles without compromising India’s scoring rate. With the journey to the 2027 ODI World Cup underway, Lucknow may well be remembered as the day India got a clearer picture of what their ideal batting template could look like.