India crush Afghanistan by 170 runs, seal ODI series 2-0 in Lucknow
Synopsis
Shubman Gill's 154 and Ishan Kishan's 125 combined for a 224-run third-wicket stand that dismantled Afghanistan in Lucknow, sealing the ODI series 2-0 with a game to spare. Gill also became the fastest Indian to 3,000 ODI runs in terms of innings — a milestone buried inside a batting performance that was simply in a different league.
Key Takeaways
India defeated Afghanistan by 170 runs in the 2nd ODI at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on 17 June , clinching the series 2-0 .
Captain Shubman Gill scored 154 off 110 balls (22 fours, 2 sixes), his ninth ODI century , and became the fastest Indian to 3,000 ODI runs by innings.
Ishan Kishan blazed 125 off 79 balls (14 fours, 7 sixes); his century came off just 71 deliveries .
Gill and Kishan added 224 runs off 140 balls for the third wicket, scoring at nearly 10 runs an over .
India posted 402 all out in 49.5 overs ; Afghanistan were bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs .
Arshdeep Singh (3-45) and Gurnoor Brar (3-60) led the bowling; debutant Prince Yadav took his maiden ODI wicket.
India sealed the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan with a game to spare, defeating the visitors by 170 runs in the second match at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on 17 June. Captain Shubman Gill's majestic 154 and Ishan Kishan's blistering 125 powered India to 402 all out, a total Afghanistan never came close to chasing down.
Batting Masterclass Sets the Platform
India's innings began on a cautious note, with Yashasvi Jaiswal struggling for fluency against Afghanistan's disciplined new-ball attack — which notably opened with off-spinner AM Ghazanfar in a surprise tactical move. Rohit Sharma looked in commanding touch, stroking the ball elegantly to all parts, but fell for 48 with India placed at 80 for 2, just short of a half-century.
What followed was the defining passage of the match. Gill and Kishan combined for a third-wicket stand of 224 runs off just 140 deliveries, scoring at nearly ten runs an over and leaving Afghanistan's bowlers without answers. Gill brought up his ninth ODI century off only 77 balls before accelerating to 150 in 108 deliveries. His final tally of 154 off 110 balls — studded with 22 fours and 2 sixes — also saw him become the fastest Indian to 3,000 ODI runs in terms of innings played.
Kishan was equally destructive at the other end, hammering 125 off 79 balls with 14 fours and 7 sixes. His century arrived off just 71 deliveries, sustaining an extraordinary scoring rate through the middle overs. Shreyas Iyer contributed a brisk 26 as India raced past 300 in only 35.5 overs — among the fastest 300-plus totals by a team batting first in ODI history.
Afghanistan fought back admirably in the closing stages. Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharoti triggered a collapse, dismissing both Gill and Iyer en route to impressive figures of 4 for 76. Rashid Khan chipped in with 3 for 48. India's last seven wickets tumbled for just 80 runs, but the total of 402 all out in 49.5 overs remained well beyond Afghanistan's reach.
Afghanistan's Chase Falls Well Short
Chasing 403, Afghanistan required a flying start but never truly threatened. India's pace attack struck at regular intervals, dismantling partnerships before they could develop. Arshdeep Singh led the bowling effort with 3 for 45, while Gurnoor Brar claimed 3 for 60. Debutant Prince Yadav also marked his first ODI appearance with a maiden wicket.
Amid the wreckage, Rahmat Shah stood firm with a determined 79 off 89 balls, displaying admirable technique and resilience despite battling cramps. Sediqullah Atal contributed 42, and Rashid Khan provided a quickfire cameo, but the required rate climbed steadily beyond any realistic prospect of a comeback.
The end arrived in the 45th over when Brar and Prince Yadav cleaned up the lower order. Rahmat's valiant resistance was finally ended when he pulled Prince Yadav to fine leg, where Brar pouched an excellent catch. Afghanistan were bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs, handing India a comprehensive 170-run victory.
Key Milestones From the Match
The partnership between Gill and Kishan was the centrepiece of an exceptional team performance. Gill's 154 is among the finest captain's knocks in recent ODI memory, while Kishan's 125 underlined his destructive potential at number four. The win also confirmed India's series triumph with the third ODI still to be played — a statement of dominance over an Afghanistan side that has grown considerably as a cricketing force in recent years.
Notably, this is India's second successive series win in this fixture, and the margin of victory in both matches underscores the gulf in depth between the two sides at present.
What's Next
The two teams meet again for the third and final ODI, which will now serve as a dead-rubber encounter. India are likely to use the game to test fringe players, with Prince Yadav's debut performance already hinting at the bench strength available to the management.
Brief scores: India 402/10 in 49.5 overs (Shubman Gill 154, Ishan Kishan 125; Nangeyalia Kharoti 4-76, Rashid Khan 3-48) beat Afghanistan 232/10 in 44.3 overs (Rahmat Shah 79, Sediqullah Atal 42; Arshdeep Singh 3-45, Gurnoor Brar 3-60) by 170 runs.
Point of View
And it exposed the thin line between Afghanistan being competitive and being outclassed. The real story here is India's ODI middle-order depth: with Rohit, Jaiswal, Gill, Kishan, and Iyer all capable of match-winning hundreds, opponents have no safe passage at any stage of an innings. The third ODI, now a dead rubber, will be the more instructive watch — it will reveal whether India's second-string can sustain this level against an Afghanistan side that will be motivated to salvage pride.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan?
India beat Afghanistan by 170 runs in the 2nd ODI at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on 17 June, sealing the three-match series 2-0 with one game remaining. India posted 402 all out and bowled Afghanistan out for 232 in 44.3 overs.
How did Shubman Gill perform in the 2nd ODI against Afghanistan?
Shubman Gill scored 154 off 110 balls, including 22 fours and 2 sixes — his ninth ODI century. He reached 150 in just 108 deliveries and also became the fastest Indian batter to 3,000 ODI runs in terms of innings played.
What milestone did Ishan Kishan achieve in the Lucknow ODI?
Ishan Kishan smashed 125 off 79 balls with 14 fours and 7 sixes, reaching his century off just 71 deliveries. He combined with Gill for a 224-run third-wicket partnership off 140 balls.
Who were the top bowlers for India in the 2nd ODI?
Arshdeep Singh took 3 for 45 and Gurnoor Brar claimed 3 for 60 to share the bowling honours. Debutant Prince Yadav also took his maiden ODI wicket, and later held a catch at fine leg to dismiss Rahmat Shah.
How did Afghanistan perform in their chase of 403?
Afghanistan were bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs, losing by 170 runs. Rahmat Shah top-scored with a fighting 79 off 89 balls despite battling cramps, and Sediqullah Atal contributed 42, but India's bowlers dismissed the visitors 45 overs short of their target.
