Cricket fans at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium went absolutely wild on Wednesday. India‘s dynamic batting duo made the second ODI a masterclass in modern power hitting. Much anticipated IND vs AFG The clash on 17th June 2026 saw the hosts assert their dominance Afghanistan in an unforgettable batting display. After Afghanistan won the toss and dominated the trophy, their decision backfired spectacularly in the sweltering heat in Lucknow.
The match quickly turned from a standard two-way contest into a historic run-fest, anchored by a breathtaking partnership that completely caught the visitors’ bowling attack off guard and chased leather all over the park.
Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan create a frenzy against Afghanistan in the 2nd ODI
The title of the day belonged to the Indian captain Shubman Gill and his explosive partner Ishan Kishiboth reached their respective centuries at the same time. The crowd in Lucknow went into absolute pandemonium in the 33rd over. Bilal Samiwhen both strikes cross the triple figure in a six-ball affair.
Captain Gill brought up his 9th ODI century with a neat knock off the first ball. The “Prince” of Indian cricket played a truly princely innings and reached the ton in just 77 balls which were laced with effortless boundaries. Despite the sweltering heat, Gill spoke quite fluently. After reaching the milestone, he politely removed his helmet, raised his bat and bowed to the raucous Lucknow crowd, signaling his intention to push for a massive double century.
After just five balls, Ishan Kishan joined the party. Faced with Bilal Sami’s last ball, Kishan drove it short and wide over backward point for a boundary to bring up his second ODI century. Reaching his milestone in just 71 balls, it marked Kisha’s maiden ODI hundred after his legendary 210-ball run. Bangladesh It returned in December 2022. In 2026, the southpaw’s explosive comeback format reached a new peak as he shared a warm hug with his captain and will go down in Indian cricket folklore.
India is gearing up for a massive build-up against Afghanistan
With top-class firing on all cylinders, the scoreboard painted a dire picture for the Afghanistan bowling unit. Despite losing opener Yashasvi Jaiswal early for 4 runs, he caught him Muhammad Salimand big batter Rohit Sharma 39 balls off 48 for rapid fire Rashid KhanIndia completely seized the momentum.
At the end of the 38th over, India reached 328/3, operating at an astonishing run rate of 8.63. The projection predicts an astronomical final score of 426 runs. Gill and Kishan’s monumental 3rd wicket partnership resulted in an incredible 224 runs off just 140 deliveries which scored over 13 runs each in the powerplay phase. Kishan was eventually dismissed for a magnificent 125 off 79 balls which included 14 fours and 7 big sixes. Gill punished his opponent with 21 fours and 2 sixes to remain unbeaten on 139 off 99 balls. with Shreyas Iyer Joining the captain, India are firmly on track to set an insurmountable target.
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Here’s how the fans reacted:
2026 IS THE YEAR OF REDEMPTION FOR ISHAN KISHAN. pic.twitter.com/Bj88vJz2eJ
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 17, 2026
Ishan Kishan vs Afghanistan Today:
First 50 runs – 52 balls
Next 53 runs – 19 balls– A hundred in just 71 balls, with a huge strike rate of 145 💥
– CRAZY ACCELERATION WITH POCKET DYNAMOS ISHAN KISHAN 🥶#INDvsAFG pic.twitter.com/zPPrPRy4Ov
— Ajay Jadeja (@AjayJadeja171) June 17, 2026
Ishan Kishi performed well 👏 #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/Pa2az19V8b
— Prateek (@prateek_295) June 17, 2026
Ishan Kisha’s six hitting ability is next level, remember his 200 off 35? He did it in just 135 balls.
I really feel, Ishan Kishi should be given the opening. If he can score a 135-ball 200, he can do anything. Yashasvi Jaiswal has no ODI game!…
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) June 17, 2026
Well worth the wait, Ishan 🫶pic.twitter.com/ImAzneJfmu
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) June 17, 2026
🚨 21 International Hundreds at just 26 years old! 🤯🇮🇳
💯 11 in tests
💯 9 in ODIs
💯 1 in T20IsCaptain Shubman Gill is not only scoring runs but also building a legacy. The present is bright, the future seems unstoppable. 👑🔥 pic.twitter.com/G1nbhy128T
— Samjho India (@Samjhoindia143) June 17, 2026
SHUBMAN GILL IS COMPLETELY POSSIBLE!
🥶🔥A captain strike of pure class and elegance at the Ekana Stadium.
103* off 77 balls to put India completely in the driver’s seat!
Form is temporary, but Princess class is permanent 👑✨#ShubmanGill #INDvsAFG #cricket pic.twitter.com/Jr9qaLKHyp— Kuldeep sharma (@Kuldeepbid850) June 17, 2026
He can score at 150+ SR
It can open
He can play long strokes
He is young
He’s as ready as anyone on the team
He is a left-handed optionIshan Kishan, Shubman Gill has to open with a left-right combination and he offers 100(70) instead of 40(30) in the name of intention. pic.twitter.com/T99ThPMp7p
— 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭!𝟎𝐧_👑🚩 (@bholination) June 17, 2026
Shubman Gill has 21 international hundreds at the age of 26. 🇮🇳#Shubmangill #INDvAFG pic.twitter.com/m8dtX9YPxZ
— AJITHROMAN007 (@Romanajith00718) June 17, 2026
Glorious. Stunning. An absolute pleasure to watch! 🤩
Captain Shubman Gill, a masterclass in ODI batting from one of the best batsmen in the game today.#ShubmqnGill #IndianCricket pic.twitter.com/szONyrcVP6
— 𝐀𝐣🌸🐉 𝐉🌸𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐝 (@iamajayjangirr) June 17, 2026
ODI hundred #9️⃣ and one of sheer class from Captain Shubman Gill 👏🔝#ShubmanGill #INDvAFG #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/WvquZwu0Zq
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) June 17, 2026
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