Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow
Lucknow, Jun 17: India wrapped up the three-match ODI series with a game to spare after registering a commanding 170-run victory over Afghanistan in the second ODI at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. The hosts produced a dominant all-round performance, with captain Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan starring with the bat before the bowlers dismantled the Afghan batting line-up.
Chasing a daunting target of 403, Afghanistan never managed to establish any momentum as India's bowlers struck at regular intervals. Despite a fighting effort from Rahmat Shah, the visitors were eventually bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs.
India's pace attack maintained constant pressure throughout the innings. Arshdeep Singh picked up three wickets, while debutant Prince Yadav claimed his maiden ODI scalp. Gurnoor Brar also impressed with a three-wicket haul.
Rahmat Shah was Afghanistan's lone standout performer, scoring a resilient 79 off 89 deliveries. Battling physical discomfort and mounting pressure, he continued to find boundaries and held the innings together for as long as possible. Rashid Khan added a quick cameo, but the ever-rising required run rate proved impossible to chase down.
Afghanistan's resistance finally ended in the 45th over when Prince Yadav dismissed Rahmat Shah, who was caught at fine leg by Gurnoor Brar after attempting an aggressive shot.
Earlier, India recovered strongly after a cautious beginning. Afghanistan surprised the hosts by opening the bowling with off-spinner AM Ghazanfar, while Yashasvi Jaiswal struggled for fluency and departed early.
Rohit Sharma looked in excellent touch, striking several elegant boundaries before narrowly missing a half-century, falling for 48 and leaving India at 80 for 2.
The match then turned decisively in India's favour as Gill and Kishan stitched together a spectacular 224-run partnership for the third wicket in just 140 deliveries.
Gill anchored the innings with authority, reaching his ninth ODI century in only 77 balls before accelerating further to score 154 from 110 deliveries. His innings included 22 fours and two sixes and also saw him become the fastest Indian, in terms of innings, to complete 3,000 ODI runs.
At the other end, Kishan launched a relentless attack on the Afghan bowlers, smashing 125 off just 79 deliveries. His innings featured 14 boundaries and seven sixes, with his century coming in only 71 balls.
The duo propelled India beyond the 300-run mark in just 35.5 overs, placing the hosts on course for a massive total.
Shreyas Iyer added a quick 26 runs, but Afghanistan staged a brief comeback in the closing overs.
Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharoti was the standout bowler for the visitors, claiming 4 for 76, while Rashid Khan picked up three wickets.
India lost their final seven wickets for 80 runs but still posted an imposing 402 all out in 49.5 overs.
With the emphatic win, India have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series and will head into the final ODI looking to complete a clean sweep.
Brief Scores:
India: 402 all out in 49.5 overs (Shubman Gill 154, Ishan Kishan 125; Nangeyalia Kharoti 4/76, Rashid Khan 3/48)
Afghanistan: 232 all out in 44.3 overs (Rahmat Shah 79, Sediqullah Atal 42; Arshdeep Singh 3/45, Gurnoor Brar 3/60)
Result: India won by 170 runs and sealed the three-match ODI series 2-0.