Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan Shine as India Sets 403-Run Target Against Afghanistan

India Dominates Second ODI with Stellar Performances

In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on June 17, Shubman Gill marked his first century as India's full-time ODI captain, while Ishan Kishan delivered an explosive innings, propelling India to a formidable total of 402 runs in the second ODI against Afghanistan at Ekana Stadium on Wednesday.

Opting to bat first, the Indian team opened with Yashasvi Jaiswal and seasoned player Rohit Sharma. Mohammad Saleem Safi made an early impact by dismissing Jaiswal in his opening over.

Gill entered the fray at number three, joining Sharma at the crease. The former captain accelerated his scoring, hitting six boundaries and two sixes before falling short of a half-century, bowled out by Rashid Khan for 48 runs.

Kishan, batting at number four, kept the momentum going with his aggressive style.

Gill reached his fifty with a six off Nangeyalia Kharote in the 17th over, followed by two more boundaries in the next over bowled by Safi.

Kishan then shifted gears, hitting a six off Safi, a boundary off Hashmatullah Shahidi, and three more boundaries in Bilal Sami's subsequent over. He completed his half-century with a boundary off Shahidi in the 28th over.

While Gill focused on rotating the strike, he approached the 90s, with Kishan continuing to score aggressively from the other end.

In the 33rd over, Bilal Sami bowled, and Gill hit a boundary on the first ball, marking his 9th ODI century, his first since taking over as captain.

Kishan followed suit, hitting three consecutive boundaries in Sami's over to secure his century as well, marking his second ODI hundred. After reaching fifty in 52 balls, he scored the next 53 runs off just 19 deliveries.

The pair consistently found the boundary, adding an impressive 224 runs for the third wicket before Kharote ended their partnership in the 37th over. Kishan finished with 125 runs off just 79 balls, including 14 fours and seven sixes.

Shreyas Iyer then contributed 40 runs for the fourth wicket alongside Gill.

Gill surpassed the 150-run mark with a single off Allah Ghazanfar in the 42nd over but was dismissed while attempting a big shot against Kharote in the 43rd over, scoring 154 runs off 110 balls with 22 fours and two sixes.

KL Rahul was dismissed for a golden duck shortly after.

Iyer added 26 runs off 24 balls, including a six and a four, before also falling to Kharote.

Washington Sundar contributed 19 runs with the tailenders, helping India surpass the 400-run mark before the team was all out in 49.5 overs, setting a target of 403 runs for Afghanistan.

Rashid Khan claimed three wickets, while Kharote took four for Afghanistan. Ghazanfar and Safi each took one wicket.

With the hosts leading the three-match ODI series 1-0, they aim to clinch the series with a win in Lucknow, while Afghanistan seeks a crucial victory to stay in contention.