“The India vs Afghanistan ODI series was sealed in emphatic fashion on Wednesday as Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan smashed centuries to power India to a 170-run victory in Lucknow.”
LUCKNOW — Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan produced a batting assault that Afghanistan simply could not contain, hammering centuries in a record-breaking partnership as India sealed the ODI series with a crushing 170-run victory at the Ekana International Stadium on Wednesday.
Gill struck 154 from 110 balls while Kishan blasted 125 off just 79 deliveries, powering India to 402 before the hosts bowled Afghanistan out for 232 to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
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The pair came together after an early setback and transformed the contest with a 224-run third-wicket stand. On a surface that played far better than expected, Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled for control as boundaries flowed throughout the middle overs.
The result delivered Gill’s first ODI series victory as India captain, an important milestone for a side navigating the post-Rohit Sharma transition. India had already won the opening match in Dharamsala, where Gill remained unbeaten on 84.
“What’s important is the unbeatable 2-0 lead”, the reporters said, noting that the series victory marked Gill’s first success as captain after ODI series defeats against Australia away from home late last year and New Zealand earlier in 2026.
For Kishan, the century carried significance beyond the scorecard. The left-hander had not registered an ODI hundred for more than three years and entered the series under pressure to cement his place in India’s crowded white-ball setup. His innings featured aggressive strokeplay from the outset and ensured Afghanistan never regained momentum after the partnership took shape.
Afghanistan’s chase was effectively buried by the size of the target. The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals despite resistance from parts of the middle order. Debutant batter Darwish Rasooli retired hurt during the innings, further damaging Afghanistan’s hopes of mounting any meaningful challenge.
India’s younger bowling group completed the job. Gurnoor Brar returned figures of 3 for 60 after also impressing in the series opener, while Arshdeep Singh claimed 3 for 45. Prince Yadav, making his India debut, picked up two wickets despite proving expensive at times.
“Some credit has to be given to India’s young pacer Gurnoor Brar (3/60), who shone again with three wickets”, the reporters noted in the match report.
The victory adds another layer to Gill’s rapid rise as one of the central figures in India’s ODI plans. The 26-year-old had already scored a century in the one-off Test against Afghanistan earlier in the tour and now follows it with scores of 84 not out and 154 in consecutive one-day internationals.
For Afghanistan, the defeat exposed familiar concerns. Rashid Khan and the spin attack were unable to prevent India from crossing 400, while the batting unit struggled to cope with scoreboard pressure once the chase began. The visitors now head into the final ODI in Chennai searching for answers after conceding 634 runs across the first two matches of the series.
India, meanwhile, have already secured the trophy and discovered fresh momentum ahead of a packed international calendar.
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