Ishan Kishan Shines with Century as India Dominates Afghanistan in ODI
Kishan's Stellar Performance
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 18: After India's impressive victory against Afghanistan in the second ODI, former England spinner Graeme Swann praised Ishan Kishan for his remarkable performance. Kishan, who scored his second ODI century, showcased a level of play that made it seem as though he had never left the ODI format, which Swann described as 'remarkable.'
Following a successful stint in T20Is, where he was instrumental in India's ICC T20 World Cup 2026 triumph, Kishan continued his excellent form in ODIs. In his first ODI appearance since 2023, he scored a brisk 34 in the opening match and followed it up with a stunning 125 runs off just 79 balls in the second match, marking his 1,000th run in ODIs.
During an appearance on JioStar 'Cricket Live', Swann highlighted Kishan's adaptability, noting that he performs any role assigned to him without hesitation. He emphasized Kishan's explosive batting, particularly his ability to accelerate from fifty to a century in just 19 balls.
"He is the kind of player who will fulfill any role you ask of him without complaints. His return to the team and the way he plays as if he never left is truly impressive. He was cautious initially, but then he took only 19 balls to move from 50 to 100, which is extraordinary," Swann remarked.
Swann also commended Kishan's approach to batting, describing it as 'sensible' rather than reckless. He noted that Kishan's shots were well-placed, forcing bowlers to adjust their strategies while executing beautiful lofted drives.
"His shots were not about wild hitting. He was strategic, targeting the leg side and forcing bowlers to change their lines, showcasing his class. The shot wide of long-off is something he has refined over the past two years, turning a weakness into a strength," he added.
Discussing India's depth in talent, Swann pointed out the strength of the IPL as a domestic tournament that consistently produces skilled players. He contrasted this with other nations that lack such a rich talent pool, expressing a desire for England to have a similar advantage as India approaches the Cricket World Cup next year.
"India's robust domestic structure in the IPL means there are always players vying for spots, which drives them to perform at their best. Other countries would envy this situation, as they struggle to field their best XI. Rohit Sharma's disappointment with a score of 48 reflects the high expectations within the team," he noted.
In the match, Afghanistan chose to field first, but centuries from captain Shubman Gill (154 runs off 110 balls) and Ishan Kishan (125 runs off 79 balls) propelled India to a total of 402 all out in 49.5 overs. Nangeyaliya Kharoti and Rashid Khan were the standout bowlers for Afghanistan, taking 4/76 and 3/48, respectively.
In response, Afghanistan's Rahmat Shah scored a commendable 79 runs off 89 balls, supported by solid contributions from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (41 runs) and Sediqullah Atal (42 runs). However, they fell short, being bowled out for 232 runs, with Brar, Arshdeep Singh, and debutant Prince Yadav taking crucial wickets.