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India handed Afghanistan a 17-run shellacking in the second ODI at Lucknow's Ekana cricket stadium to seal the three-match series 2-0 with a match to spare. The quartet of Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh was the architect of India's crushing win over the hosts.
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India thrash Afghanistan to pocket ODI series 1-0
India first rode on Shubman Gill (154 off 110) and Ishan Kishan's (125 off 79) spellbinding centuries to post a colossal total of 402. In reply, Afghanistan had no answer to India's disciplined bowling and were eventually bundled out for 232, thanks to brilliant three-fers from Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh. Rahmat Shah did score a fighting 89 but couldn't save Afghanistan from going down to India.
With series clinched, India will now look to sweep the series when they meet Afghanistan in the third ODI on June 20 in Chennai.
Shubman Gill-Ishan Kishan's show in Lucknow
Afghanistan's tactical decision to bowl first under a scorching afternoon sun backfired heavily, as Gill and Kishan dismantled the bowling attack to guide India to a formidable total of 402. Kishan, making a statement in his comeback series, smashed his second ODI century to perfectly complement his skipper. The demanding playing conditions took a visible toll on both sides, with several players struggling with intense heat cramps. Gill himself was forced to bat with an ice collar to regulate his body temperature and was so exhausted that he did not return to the field for the second innings after his dismissal.
The foundation of India's mammoth total was a blistering 224-run partnership for the third wicket, which came off just 141 deliveries. Gill and Kishan put the visiting bowlers to the sword, scoring at a relentless pace that completely took the game away from Afghanistan. Chasing a target north of 400 was always going to be a daunting task for the visitors, who were not only fighting to keep the series alive but were also hunting for their historic first-ever victory over India across any format.
Gurnoor-Arshdeep leave Afghanistan batters helpless
Ultimately, Afghanistan's chase never truly threatened the target, and they were bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs despite a fighting 79 from Rahmat Shah. The rest of the batting lineup lacked the extreme urgency required for such a monumental chase; while several top and middle-order batters managed to get starts, none could convert them into the massive scores needed. Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (41) and Ibrahim Zadran (21) failed to provide the explosive start required, meaning the pressure continually mounted on the subsequent batters.
Gurbaz, who had scored a century in the previous match, briefly enjoyed a slice of luck when he miscued a pull shot straight to mid-on. Though Arshdeep Singh completed a simple catch, a review showed that debutant Prince Yadav had overstepped, overturning the dismissal and momentarily denying the young bowler his maiden international scalp. However, the reprieve was short-lived, as Gurnoor Brar had Gurbaz caught just 11 deliveries later to break the opening stand. Afghanistan's woes only deepened when Darwish Rasooli—who had already been stretchered off the field during India's batting innings—bravely came out to bat but was quickly forced to retire hurt due to a severe hamstring injury.
India's bowling attack efficiently wrapped up the tail to seal a comprehensive victory. Debutant Prince Yadav eventually secured his maiden ODI wicket by rattling Nangeyalia Kharote's stumps, later putting the finishing touches on the match by claiming the final wicket of Rahmat Shah to finish with figures of 2/56. Arshdeep Singh was the pick of the bowlers with a clinical 3/45, while Brar continued his impressive run with 3/60, leaving premier spinner Kuldeep Yadav to go wicketless on a day dominated by the seamers.
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