Ishan Kishan smashed a spectacular 71-ball century for India against Afghanistan during the second ODI match in Lucknow today.He celebrated his return to the ODI squad by playing a roaring knock of 125
runs off 79 balls, which included 14 boundaries and 7 massive sixes. This is Kishan's second century in ODI cricket, with his first being his famous double hundred against Bangladesh in 2022. Ishan Kishan’s batting masterpiece took a massive turn today after Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 48 runs.When Rohit fell, India was sitting at 96/2 in the 14th over. That was the exact moment Kishan stepped up to build an incredible, match-defining partnership with captain Shubman Gill. India opened the match with Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal. After Jaiswal fell very early for just 4 runs, Rohit and Gill began to rebuild the innings.
The Afghanistan spinners were starting to find a bit of a turn, and Kishan had to make sure India didn't suffer a sudden batting collapse. Kishan did not start swinging right away. Knowing Rohit was gone, he played a highly mature anchoring role. He took 52 balls to score his first 50 runs, focusing on quick singles and letting Gill dictate the pace from the other end. Once the foundation was safe, Kishan unleashed absolute chaos. He completely tore into the Afghanistan bowling unit, blasting his next 50 runs in just 19 balls. He hit a hat-trick of fours to race into his century in just 71 deliveries. By the time Kishan was finally caught out on a top-edge pull shot off Nangeyalia Kharoti, he had scored 125 runs off 79 balls.
ONE OF THE CRAZIEST KNOCK BY ISHAN KISHAN. First 52 balls - 50 runs. Last 27 balls - 75 runs. 125 (79) with 14 fours and 7 sixes against Afghanistan. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/HStJXLqwDV
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 17, 2026
Shubman Gill's scores 154 as he gets out to Nangeyalia Kharoti
Shubman Gill played a true captain's knock today, scoring a majestic 154 runs off 110 balls before a clever piece of bowling from spinner Nangeyalia Kharote brought his spectacular innings to an end.Gill's brilliant masterclass came to a sudden halt in the 44th over at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. His dismissal sparked a sudden double-strike that completely changed the momentum of the game. After hours of punishing the Afghanistan bowling attack, Gill looked absolutely unstoppable and was aiming to finish the innings with a massive flurry. Gill attempted a risky reverse sweep shot. He didn't hit it cleanly and got a heavy top edge that sent the ball flying high into the sky.
SHUBMAN GILL GONE FOR WELL MADE 154 OFF 110 BALLS. - Outstanding knock from skipper.🙌 pic.twitter.com/T7hyBe33Pq
— Maina Singh (@Maina_Singhx77) June 17, 2026
Substitute fielder Darwish Rasooli kept his eyes on the ball and ran in to catch it safely under pressure. The very next ball, Kharote bowled out new batsman KL Rahul for a first-ball duck, completely shocking the Indian dressing room and leaving India at 361/5. This marks Gill’s very first international century in One Day Internationals since taking over India's full-time leadership duties. Gill usually plays as an opening batsman. Today, he came out to bat at number three after Yashasvi Jaiswal got out in the second over. He showed incredible maturity to anchor the whole team. After Rohit Sharma got out for a quick 48, Gill combined forces with Ishan Kishan. Together, they put up a devastating 224-run stand off just 140 balls, leaving the fielders completely exhausted.
