Shubman Gill is leading India in ODIs vs Afghanistan. Image Credits- AFP
The Shubman Gill-led India bagged a massive victory over Afghanistan in Lucknow on Wednesday, taking an unassailable led of 2-nil in the three-match series. Captain Gill and Ishan Kishan smoked centuries, but both of them sustained injuries while doing so.
In just second game on ODI return, Ishan Kishan racked up his second ton in the format. He returned with 125 off 79 balls, before getting his shoulder injuried.
Meanwhile, Gill bettered the pocket dynamo by smashing his second 150+ score in ODIs. None of them could register another double ton to their name, but as they shared a gigantic 224-run stand, India went to post 402 runs on the board.
Shubman Gill on his fitness ahead of IND vs AFG 3rd ODI
Shubman Gill was dismissed in the 43rd over, after facing over 36% of the deliveries in the Indian innings.
His sublime knock became even more special as they batted in scorching heat as predicted in the Pitch & Weather Report for IND vs AFG 2nd ODI, even though he played with cramps throughout.
Also Read: Tilak Varma, Mohammed Siraj Receive Legal Notices Before Ireland Tour
While commenting on his fitness and availability for the IND vs AFG 3rd ODI, the Indian captain revealed that he batted with cramps in "different areas of the body", leaving him sore.
"A little sore. I got cramps when I went out there. It was really hot and I batted for almost 40-45 overs, so I was getting cramps in different areas of the body, but I am much better now," Shubman Gill said in the post-match presentation at Lucknow on Wednesday.
It is worth noting that Gill was absent during the second innings, and his deputy, Shreyas Iyer, led the Men in Blue.
India young bloods made it tough for Afghan batters
As India registered their 8th 400-plus total in ODIs, the game was almost over for Afghanistan even before the start of their innings. Although Rahmat Shah and Sediqullah Atal scored runs for them, the Herculan Indian total was too much for the visitors.
For Afghanistan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran had a 50-run opening stand, but Gurnoor Brar and Arshdeep Singh set the two stylish men back to the dugout. Later, Shah and Atal did the bit, scoring 79 and 42 runs respectively.
However, the Indian bowlers came back into the game right on time. The tourists were reduced from 128/2 to 230 all out, as the three young seamers shared eight wickets between them.
Arshdeep and Gurnoor bagged three wickets apiece, while Prince Yadav returned with two scalps on debut. Washington Sundar was the only Indian spinner to take a wicket. As a result, the Shubman Gill-led India bagged a 170-run victory to take a 2- 0 lead in the series.
Ishan Kishan's century gives BCCI headache
Although Shubman Gill's India are playing against a relatively weaker opposition, Ishan Kishan has become a headache for the national selectors. The wicketkeeper batter, who was touted to be India’s backup for KL Rahul, was picked in the starting XI after Virat Kohli was ruled out of the series.
After recovering, Kohli will be a sure-shot starter, so will Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. However, the pressure will be on Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul, among whom one might warm the bench in ODIs against England.
After the final IND vs AFG ODI at Chennai on Saturday, the Men in Blue will fly out to the United Kingdom, where they will play five T20Is and three ODI matches.
Also Read: Ishan Kishan Ton, Nat Sciver Out And Shreyanka Injury- June 17 Cricket Highlights
