Ishan Kishan Shines in India's ODI Victory Over Afghanistan
Kishan's Stellar Performance
After India's triumph against Afghanistan in the second ODI, former England spinner Graeme Swann praised Ishan Kishan for his impressive performance, noting that his return to the ODI format was seamless and 'remarkable'.
Kishan, who had a stellar run in T20Is culminating in India's ICC T20 World Cup 2026 victory, where he was the second-highest run-scorer with a fifty in the final, continued his excellent form in ODIs. In his first ODI appearance since 2023, he scored 34 runs in the first match and followed it up with a spectacular 125 runs off just 79 balls in the second match, marking his 1,000th run in ODIs.
Swann's Insights on Kishan
During a segment on JioStar 'Cricket Live', Swann highlighted Kishan's ability to adapt and perform without hesitation. He noted Kishan's rapid acceleration from fifty to a century in just 19 balls, calling it 'ridiculous'.
"He is the kind of player who fulfills any role assigned to him without complaints. His comeback to the team and the way he plays as if he never left is truly impressive. He was cautious initially, but then he accelerated to reach his century in a mere 19 deliveries, which is extraordinary," Swann remarked.
Kishan's Sensible Approach
Swann commended Kishan's innings as a display of 'sensible' cricket, emphasizing that his shots were not merely about aggressive hitting. "He was strategic, selecting his shots on the leg side and compelling bowlers to adjust their lines. His exquisite lofted drives are a testament to his class. The shot he played wide of long-off is a skill he has honed over the past two years, transforming a weakness into a strength," he added.
India's Strong Bench Strength
Discussing India's depth in talent, Swann pointed out the significance of the IPL in nurturing players. He contrasted India's situation with other countries 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 tournament, the IPL, consistently produces talent, but inevitably, some players will miss out. Other nations would envy the depth of talent India possesses, as they struggle to field their best XI. This competitive environment pushes players to excel, as seen with Rohit Sharma, who was disappointed with his 48 runs today, a score that would typically be considered good for an opener," he concluded.
Match Summary: India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI
In the match, Afghanistan chose to field first. However, centuries from captain Shubman Gill (154 runs off 110 balls, including 22 fours and 2 sixes) and Ishan Kishan (125 runs off 79 balls, with 14 fours and 7 sixes) propelled India to a total of 402 all out in 49.5 overs. Nangeyaliya Kharoti (4/76) and Rashid Khan (3/48) were the standout bowlers for Afghanistan.
During the chase, Rahmat Shah scored a commendable 79 runs off 89 balls, supported by solid contributions from Rahmanullah Gurbaz (41 runs off 33 balls) and Sediqullah Atal (42 runs off 50 balls). However, Afghanistan was ultimately bowled out for 232 runs, with Brar (3/60), Arshdeep Singh (3/45), and debutant Prince Yadav (2/56) leading the Indian bowling attack.