📅 June 17, 2026 | By Pulse India News Desk
India produced a complete performance in Lucknow to defeat Afghanistan by 170 runs and take an unassailable lead in the ODI series. The victory was built around another masterclass from Shubman Gill, a stunning comeback century from Ishan Kishan, and impressive spells from India’s new pace options.
India posted a massive 402 all out in 49.5 overs, with Gill scoring a brilliant 154 off 110 balls and Kishan smashing 125 off 79 balls. Afghanistan never truly threatened the chase and were bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs.
India: 402 all out in 49.5 overs
Afghanistan: 232 all out in 44.3 overs
Result: India won by 170 runs
Player of the Match: Shubman Gill – 154 off 110 balls
📊 Match in Phases
| Phase | India | Afghanistan | Key Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerplay | 80/1 | 62/1 | India started strongly despite Jaiswal’s early wicket, while Gurbaz gave Afghanistan a quick start |
| Middle Overs | Gill and Kishan dominated | Afghanistan slowed down | The 224-run Gill-Kishan stand took the match away from Afghanistan |
| Final Phase | Lost 7 wickets for 62 | Collapsed under pressure | Afghanistan fought back late with the ball but failed badly in the chase |
India did not have the perfect start after Yashasvi Jaiswal fell early for 4, but Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill quickly restored control. Rohit looked fluent for his 48 off 39 balls, striking six fours and two sixes before Rashid Khan removed him.
From there, the match became the Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan show. Gill continued his outstanding run of form, batting with complete control despite the extreme Lucknow heat. He reached his fifty in 38 balls and brought up his ninth ODI hundred in just 77 deliveries.
Gill’s innings was a mix of timing, placement and calculated acceleration. Even as cramps and the heat tested him, he continued to dominate Afghanistan’s attack and eventually finished with a superb 154 off 110 balls, including 22 fours and 2 sixes.
Ishan Kishan, returning to India’s ODI setup, produced one of his finest knocks. After taking 52 balls to reach fifty, he exploded through the gears and reached his hundred in only 71 balls. His 125 off 79 balls included 14 fours and 7 sixes.
The Gill-Kishan partnership of 224 runs off just 140 balls completely changed the match. At one stage, India looked set for 450, especially after crossing 300 in only 35.5 overs.
However, Afghanistan fought back late. Nangeyalia Kharoti took 4/76, while Rashid Khan picked up 3/48 as India lost seven wickets for 62 runs in the final 10 overs. India still reached 402, their eighth 400-plus total in ODI cricket.
Afghanistan’s chase began with Rahmanullah Gurbaz attacking from the start. He struck 41 off 33 balls and gave his side early momentum, but once Gurnoor Brar removed him, the chase lost direction.
Rahmat Shah fought hard with a composed 79 off 89 balls, while Sediqullah Atal made 42, but Afghanistan never had enough firepower to challenge the target. Wickets kept falling at regular intervals, and the required rate became impossible very early.
India’s young pacers once again impressed. Gurnoor Brar took 3/60, Arshdeep Singh claimed 3/45, and debutant Prince Yadav picked up 2/56 as Afghanistan were bowled out for 232.
🔥 Shubman Gill: 154 off 110 balls – another commanding ODI century in tough conditions.
🔥 Ishan Kishan: 125 off 79 balls – a brutal comeback innings with 14 fours and 7 sixes.
🔥 Gurnoor Brar: 3/60 – removed Gurbaz and continued his impressive start to ODI cricket.
🔥 Arshdeep Singh: 3/45 – controlled spell and key wickets in the chase.
🔥 Prince Yadav: 2/56 on ODI debut – attacked the stumps and showed real promise.
🔥 Rahmat Shah: 79 off 89 balls – Afghanistan’s only major resistance in the chase.
The biggest turning point was the 224-run partnership between Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan.
Afghanistan had a small opening after dismissing Jaiswal early, but Gill and Kishan completely shut the door with fearless batting. Their stand came at a rapid pace and pushed India beyond 300 inside 36 overs.
Once India crossed 400, Afghanistan were left chasing a target that required something extraordinary. They never looked close.
❌ Failed to control Gill and Kishan during the middle overs.
❌ Gave away too many boundaries during India’s 224-run third-wicket stand.
❌ Could not build pressure despite India losing wickets late.
❌ Gurbaz got a start but failed to convert it into a big score.
❌ Middle order again lacked fluency and consistency.
❌ Afghanistan were never close to the required run rate after the Powerplay.
Shubman Gill was the standout performer with a magnificent 154 off 110 balls.
Batting in extreme heat, Gill paced his innings beautifully. He started with control, accelerated without taking unnecessary risks and continued to dominate even after requiring treatment for cramps.
His innings included 22 fours and 2 sixes, and it was the foundation behind India’s huge total of 402. This was another reminder of Gill’s growing authority as one of India’s most reliable ODI batters.
With this performance, Gill also drew level with Virat Kohli for the most Player of the Match awards in ODIs since January 2022.
📌 India scored 402 all out, their eighth 400-plus total in ODI cricket.
📌 India equalled South Africa for the most 400-plus totals in ODI history.
📌 This was the first instance of a team scoring 400-plus and still being bowled out in an ODI.
📌 Shubman Gill scored 154 off 110 balls.
📌 Ishan Kishan smashed 125 off 79 balls.
📌 Gill and Kishan added 224 runs off 140 balls.
📌 Two Indian batters scored ODI hundreds in 80 balls or fewer in the same innings for the first time.
📌 Afghanistan suffered their second-biggest ODI defeat by runs: 170 runs.
📌 Gurnoor Brar became only the second Indian after Piyush Chawla to take three or more wickets in each of his first two ODI matches.
This was a statement win for India and a performance that showed the depth of their ODI setup.
Gill’s consistency remains India’s biggest positive, while Ishan Kishan’s explosive century has reopened the discussion around his role in the ODI middle order. India may feel they missed out on a bigger total after losing wickets late, but 402 was more than enough on the day.
The bowling effort was equally encouraging. Gurnoor Brar continued to impress, Prince Yadav showed promise on debut, and Arshdeep Singh delivered another controlled spell. India’s pace depth now looks stronger with every match.
For Afghanistan, Rahmat Shah and Gurbaz provided individual positives, but the team still depends too heavily on brief bursts rather than sustained partnerships.
India sealed the series with a game to spare, and with Gill, Kishan and the young pacers all firing, the hosts will go into the final ODI with confidence and momentum.
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