India registered a dominant 170-run victory over Afghanistan in the second ODI at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The win gave India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. After posting a massive total of 402, the hosts bowled out Afghanistan for 232 in 44.3 overs.
India made a strong start with Rohit Sharma scoring 48 runs from 39 balls. Following his dismissal, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan took control of the innings with a match-defining partnership. Their aggressive batting put Afghanistan under sustained pressure.
Shubman Gill starred with a brilliant 154 off 110 deliveries. His innings included 22 fours and two sixes. Ishan Kishan provided excellent support with 125 runs from just 79 balls, striking 14 fours and seven sixes during his explosive knock.
For Afghanistan, Nangyal Kharoti was the most successful bowler and claimed four wickets. Rashid Khan also made an impact by picking up three wickets. However, the bowlers struggled to contain India’s powerful batting line-up.
Chasing a target of 403, Afghanistan began positively through Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. The pair added 51 runs for the opening wicket and provided early momentum. Gurbaz scored 41 before Gurnoor Brar delivered the breakthrough for India.
Arshdeep Singh then dismissed Ibrahim Zadran for 21 to put Afghanistan under pressure. Sediqullah Atal contributed 42 runs, while Rahmat Shah played a fighting innings of 79. Despite these efforts, Afghanistan failed to build the partnerships required for a successful chase.
India continued to strike at regular intervals and maintained complete control of the match. Afghanistan’s batting line-up could not keep up with the required run rate. The visitors were eventually bowled out for 232, handing India a comfortable series-clinching win.
The match was also memorable for Ishan Kishan, who achieved a significant personal milestone. He reached his century in just 71 balls and became the third-fastest batter to score an ODI hundred against Afghanistan. Only Eoin Morgan and Rohit Sharma have reached the landmark faster.
Ishan Kishan also completed 1,000 runs in ODI cricket during the innings. He reached the milestone in 26 innings and registered his second ODI century. With one match still left in the series, India have already secured the trophy.
