India thrashed Afghanistan by 170 runs in the second ODI in hot Lucknow on Wednesday thanks to fast hundreds from captain Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan.
India scored 402 after left-hander Kishan scored 125 and top-scorer Gill scored 154 to put up a dominant 224 runs for the third wicket.
Afghanistan was bowled out for 232 in 44.3 overs by Indian pacers Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar, who each claimed three wickets, giving India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
A number of players from both teams needed on-field treatment for cramping, and the intense heat caused the organizers to schedule three refreshment breaks per innings.
As temperatures rose over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), India was asked to bat first. After losing an early wicket, Rohit Sharma (48) and Gill stabilized the batting with an 87-run second-wicket partnership to set the tone.
With a swift googly, Rashid Khan broke the stand and bowled Rohit just short of a half-century, but the breakthrough had little effect on India’s momentum.
As Afghanistan’s bowlers faltered in the heat, Kishan raced to a 71-ball century with a barrage of boundaries, while Gill scored his tenth ODI century with a four, adding to his undefeated 84 in the series opener.
Left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote eventually broke the prolonged stand to dismiss Kishan. During his 110-ball knock, which featured 22 fours and two sixes, Gill struggled with cramps before falling when his worn-out reverse sweep was caught at deep cover.
Kharote struck once more to remove KL Rahul for a golden duck but Washington Sundar denied him a hat-trick. As the innings lost steam, Rashid joined the late rush to take more Indian wickets.
Before a late collapse that saw them lose seven wickets for 42 runs and bowled out in 49.5 overs, India appeared poised to break their ODI record score of 418. Rashid recorded statistics of 3-38 in his eight overs, while Kharote got four wickets.
In the Afghanistan run chase, Shreyas Iyer led the Indians as Gill did not take the field.
Afghanistan’s attacking Rahmanullah Gurbaz was caught behind off Brar and was dismissed for 41. Ibrahim Zadran was dismissed for 21 off Arshdeep by debutant Prince Yadav, who also bowled Kharote for his first wicket.
Despite Rahmat Shah’s 79 and Sediqullah Atal’s 42, India consistently dealt Afghanistan a blow.
In a disappointing first ODI match, debutant Darwish Rasooli was hurt while fielding and stretchered off the field during India’s batting. He was hurt on six and never returned.
The last game of the series is scheduled for Saturday in Chennai.
