INDvsAFG 2nd ODI: India Reach 402 Against Afghanistan; Gill And Kishan Dominate
Gill and Kishan centuries power India to 402 total.
India strengthened their grip on the second ODI against Afghanistan at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, posting a formidable total of 402 after a dominant batting display led by Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan. The innings placed the hosts in a commanding position as they looked to seal the three-match series with a game to spare.
With a 1-0 lead in the series, India entered the contest focused on experimentation and squad flexibility ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. Captain Shubman Gill had earlier emphasised the importance of testing combinations, with limited ODIs remaining before the global tournament. The match presented an opportunity for India to fine-tune their batting order and assess bench strength in competitive conditions.
The foundation of India’s massive total was laid by Gill and Kishan, both of whom registered centuries in a high-impact partnership that dismantled the Afghanistan bowling attack. Their aggressive yet controlled stroke play ensured India recovered strongly after an early phase of wickets and steadily built momentum through the middle overs.
Also Read: Gill Nears 150, Kishan Hits 125 As India Build Massive Total Against Afghanistan In 2nd ODI
Gill anchored the innings with composure and controlled acceleration, while Kishan provided the attacking impetus, scoring freely across the ground before being dismissed for a well-compiled hundred-plus score. Together, they ensured India maintained a strong scoring rate throughout, eventually pushing the team beyond the 400-run mark.
The performance also reflected India’s ongoing experimentation with the batting order. With Virat Kohli unavailable, players such as KL Rahul and Kishan have been tested in the middle order, while Yashasvi Jaiswal remains in contention for a spot. Bowling coach Morne Morkel has indicated that the team management is actively exploring flexibility in positions as part of long-term planning.
On the bowling front, India are also assessing combinations, with Kuldeep Yadav under consideration despite recent inconsistencies. The team management is weighing the option of including experienced campaigners alongside emerging talent such as Harsh Dubey, who impressed in the previous match with a three-wicket haul but may miss out due to rotation policies. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will look to regroup after a challenging outing in the first ODI, where Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s century went in vain.
Their spin attack, led by Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar and Mohammad Nabi, was expected to play a key role on the Lucknow surface, but they struggled to contain India’s top order once the partnership between Gill and Kishan took control of the game. With India setting a mammoth 402-run target, the visitors faced a steep challenge in the chase, needing a near-perfect batting performance to stay alive in the series and counter India’s dominant position in the contest.
Also Read: Rain Threatens to Reduce India vs Afghanistan Opener as Match Faces Critical Time Cut-Off Window
