Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill were the main architects of India’s 170-run win over Afghanistan in the second ODI that was played in Lucknow on June 17. The duo took the Afghan bowlers to task after India was asked to bat first by Afghanistan, who won the toss.
After Yashasvi Jaiswal got out early, Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma (48) provided a strong foundation by scoring 87 runs for the second wicket. But it was Ishan Kishan and Gill, who added 224 runs for the third wicket.
Kishan was looking good for a double century, but was dismissed for 125 runs with 11 fours and 7 sixes. Shubman Gill made 154 with 22 fours and 2 sixes, as India posted 402 runs. In response, Rahmat Shah’s 79 and a couple of 40s by Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sediqullah Atal took Afghanistan to 232 runs.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan can be seen jokingly challenging captain and opening partner Shubman Gill in an open discussion in behind-the-scenes footage that the BCCI released.
"Mere 70 runs kam kar diye (You reduced my score by 70 runs),” Kishan joked. It was a reference to when Kishan slammed back-to-back sixes in the 37th over of the India innings, and Gill urged Kishan to go for six in six.
“Tujhe maarna hi toh tha (You had to hit them anyway)” Gill responded.
During their game-winning partnership, Gill also made a lighthearted joke at him for hogging the strike. Kishan swatted the prod away.
“The wicket was pretty good for the batters. I just wanted to make sure when the spinners are bowling, I am taking them on,” he said.
Kishan was playing his first ODI since 2023 and made the most of the good form he is in. He enjoyed a prolific IPL season for Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring 602 runs and earning a spot in the ODI setup.
