India clinched a dominant 170-run victory over Afghanistan at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, on Wednesday, June 17, in the second ODI of the three-match series. With the win, India sealed a series victory by claiming an unassailable 2-0 lead.
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to field first in the clash. Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan shone with the bat for the hosts, notching up stunning centuries. Gill scored 154 off 110 balls, while Kishan finished with 125 off 79 balls.
However, the Men in Blue suffered a batting collapse towards the back end of the innings, losing seven wickets in the last eight overs. They were bowled out for 402 in 49.5 overs, becoming the first team to get all out for a 400-plus score in ODIs.
Notably, India posted the second-highest total against Afghanistan in the format. Spinners Nangeyalia Kharoti and Rashid Khan picked up four and three wickets, respectively, for the visitors.
Afghanistan went down without a fight in the chase. They were bundled out for just 232 in 44.3 overs. Rahmat Shah was the top performer with the bat, contributing 79 off 89 balls. Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar bagged three scalps each as the hosts completed a thumping win.
On that note, let’s take a look at three interesting moments from the match that generated a buzz among the fans.
#3 Rahmanullah Gurbaz wins hearts with his sporting gesture for Shubman Gill
Team India skipper Shubman Gill struggled with cramps during his marathon knock amid the scorching heat. The right-handed batter looked in a lot of pain during the 38th over.
He was on the ground after missing a flick shot off Allah Ghazanfar’s bowling. Afghanistan wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz came to Gill’s rescue and helped him stretch his leg.
#2 Team India debutant Prince Yadav takes an outstanding diving catch to end Ibrahim Zadran’s knock
Ibrahim Zadran scored 21 runs off 31 balls before perishing to Arshdeep Singh in the 14th over. Debutant Prince Yadav took a spectacular diving catch to end the opener’s knock.
The right-handed batter miscued a pull shot, and the ball went towards deep backward square leg. It initially seemed that the ball would not carry to Prince in the deep.
However, the pacer charged towards the ball and plucked out a superb catch. Watch the video here:
#1 Rashid Khan bamboozles Rohit Sharma with a vicious googly
Rohit Sharma got off to an impressive start with the bat and seemed set for a big score. Rashid Khan provided Afghanistan with a massive breakthrough by dismissing the dangerous batter on 48 off 39 balls in the 14th over.
The ace spinner bowled a sharp googly on the off stump. Sharma didn’t read the variation and looked to play it on the back foot. He was completely undone by the wrong’un, and the ball rattled the stumps.
The ODI series between India and Afghanistan will conclude with the final ODI at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, June 20.
Edited by Aditya Suketu Desai