Rashid Khan walks off during 2nd ODI [Source: Screengrab/JioHotstar]For some reason, the BCCI scheduled an ODI series in the month of June, which is considered the hottest month to play a game of cricket. Even if you are a professional athlete, the hot weather does take a toll on the body, and it happened with the India and Afghanistan players during the second ODI on Wednesday.North Indian cities have an unbearable climate, and both India and Afghanistan faced an uphill task in Lucknow as they collided in a riveting battle. Afghanistan won the toss, and for some reason, Hashmatullah Shahidi elected to bowl first despite the cruel weather.The weather effects were seen as multiple drinks breaks were taken, and star Afghan bowler, Rashid Khan suffered the most as he walked off the field.Rashid Khan walks off the field as Lucknow heat catches upAfghanistan captain’s surprising decision to bowl first hampered the team as the bowlers looked lethargic, and the Indian batters enjoyed their outing in the heat. The pace bowlers suffered the most as their pace dropped massively, and the likes of Shubman Gill, and Ishan Kishan took advantage of the situation.The current Lucknow temperature is 39 degrees, with excessive heat in the region. Players from both sides suffered, but the weather took a toll on Rashid Khan as he completed six overs against India, and he eventually walked off the field.crictalk @crictalk7 Jun 17, 2026, 3:48 PM The usual zip in Rashid’s deliveries was missing, and after he was taken to the cleaners in the sixth over, the Afghan spinner decided he had had enough as he went to the dressing room, alongside the team physio.Rashid's off-day as Gill-Kishan takes him to the cleanersAlmost all the Afghan bowlers were taken to the cleaners in the ongoing match, and Rashid was also one of them as the Indian batters toyed with him in Lucknow.Also Read: Rashid Khan’s Test Retirement Decision To Come With A Surprising TwistThe Afghanistan side had taken the early wicket of Yashasvi Jaiswal, and even Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 48. However, Shubman Gill and Kishan, two of the best spin-hitters on the team, took the Afghan spinner easily.The zip was missing from his bowling as Rashid conceded 36 runs in 6 overs, with an economy of 6 runs per over. In his last over before he went away, Rashid conceded 16 runs as Kishan made a mockery of him.Just 2 wicket to showcase as Rashid Khan fades away vs IndiaNo matter who comes in the side, Rashid Khan will always remain Afghanistan’s best bowler, and the Indian side has taken him down easily in the first two ODI matches. While the Indian spinners have done well, the Afghanistan leg-spinner has struggled.In the first ODI match in Dharamsala, India needed 195 to win, and the Afghanistan spinner conceded 37 runs in five overs, with an economy rate of 7.40. He managed to pick up a solitary wicket, but the leg-spinner was ineffective as the Indians played him easily.The trend continued in the second ODI as the Indian players made a mockery of him before the wizard went off the field in the Lucknow heat.Also Read: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's Flying Catch Puts Fitness Critics To Shame
