Ishan Kishan marked a triumphant return to India's ODI setup with a scintillating 125 off 79 balls against Afghanistan in the second match of the series at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on 18 June, helping the hosts seal a commanding 170-run victory and clinch the three-match series 2-0. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter's explosive knock was one of the finest of his ODI career, and he made clear afterwards that pulling on the national jersey again meant everything to him.

A Match-Defining Knock

Kishan walked in after Rohit Sharma's fluent 48 had given India a solid foundation, and proceeded to dismantle Afghanistan's bowling attack with breathtaking aggression. He struck 14 fours and 7 sixes, reaching his century in just 71 balls before finishing on 125. His partnership with captain Shubman Gill — who blazed a magnificent 154 — yielded a third-wicket stand of 224 runs, the backbone of India's imposing total of 402. Afghanistan, despite a brief fightback with late wickets, were bowled out for a distant second-best, handing India the series with a game to spare.

What Kishan Said

Reflecting on his comeback in a BCCI video, Kishan was candid about the emotional weight of the occasion. 'I feel very proud right now because I'm wearing this jersey after a long time. More than that, I'm just happy to be in this tremendous side because all the players here are experienced, young. It's all a mixture of everything. So, just looking up to make India win more matches,' he said.

He was equally measured when discussing his personal ambitions going forward. 'I think it never ends for us as athletes. We just keep on playing. So, I'm just looking to be helping each teammate of mine and just trying to put up a good show every time I go in with this jersey on me,' he added.

Context of the Comeback

The innings carried added significance given Kishan's extended absence from the Indian ODI side. His return to the squad had been closely watched, and the century — coming at a brisk strike rate against a competitive Afghanistan attack — served as an emphatic answer to any questions about his readiness. Notably, this is the kind of middle-order firepower India will need as they build combinations ahead of upcoming bilateral and multi-team assignments.

Series Sealed, One Match to Play

With the series already locked up 2-0, India head into the third and final ODI with the luxury of experimenting with their squad depth. The Lucknow win underscored the batting unit's depth, with three players — Sharma, Kishan, and Gill — all contributing substantially to a 400-plus total. Afghanistan will look to salvage pride in the decider.