Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan formed the second-fastest 200-plus partnership by an Indian pair in ODI cricket, putting together 224 runs for the third wicket to propel India to 402 all out against Afghanistan in the second ODI in Lucknow on Wednesday.
Partnership details
The duo added 224 runs in just 140 balls at a run rate of 9.6 after Afghanistan opted to bowl first. Only the 208-run stand between Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul against the Netherlands during the 2023 ODI World Cup came faster among Indian pairs, reaching that mark in 127 balls at a run rate of 9.82.
Individual performances
Gill scored 154 runs off 110 balls, while Kishan made 125 off 79 deliveries. Both batters reached their centuries in quick time, with Kishan getting there in 71 balls and Gill in 77 deliveries. This marked the first instance of two Indian batters scoring ODI hundreds in 80 balls or fewer in the same innings, and only the eighth such occurrence overall in ODI cricket.
Batting order shuffle
India experimented with their batting order as part of preparations for next year's World Cup, with Yashasvi Jaiswal opening alongside Rohit Sharma and Gill moving to No. 3. However, Jaiswal was dismissed for 4 in the second over. Rohit looked in good touch, scoring 48 before Rashid Khan bowled him with a googly that took an inside edge onto the stumps.
Gill then took control and found support in Kishan. The pair rebuilt the innings after India were reduced to 96 for 2, attacking the Afghanistan bowlers aggressively.
Gill's captaincy milestone
Gill's century was his ninth in ODIs and his first since taking over as India's full-time ODI captain. He mixed caution with aggression throughout his innings, hitting 22 fours and two sixes. However, he struggled with cramps in the Lucknow heat and required treatment after the 34th over but continued batting.
Kishan's return to form
Kishan ended a wait of more than three years for an ODI hundred, scoring his second century in the format after his double hundred against Bangladesh in December 2022. After reaching his fifty, he accelerated sharply, scoring his next 50 runs in just 19 balls. His innings included 14 fours and seven sixes.
Afghanistan's fightback
The 224-run partnership ended when Nangeyalia Kharote dismissed Kishan for 125 off 79 balls. Gill eventually fell for 154 while attempting a reverse sweep. Kharote finished with figures of 4 for 76, while Rashid Khan claimed three wickets. After Gill's dismissal, India lost momentum, with KL Rahul departing for a first-ball duck and Shreyas Iyer making 26. India lost seven wickets in the final 10 overs but still managed to reach 402 all out in 49.5 overs.
