India’s crushing performance against Afghanistan in the second ODI was highlighted by two magnificent centuries, but it was the entertaining exchange between Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill after the match that grabbed attention.
Ishan Kishan revealed that he was aiming for a double century before being dismissed for a brilliant 125 off 79 balls. The left-handed batter smashed 14 fours and seven sixes during his aggressive knock, helping India post a massive total.
In a video shared by the BCCI, Ishan Kishan jokingly blamed captain Shubman Gill for costing him a chance to score around 70 more runs. The moment occurred in the 37th over of India’s innings when Afghanistan spinner Nangeyalia Kharoti was bowling. After Ishan Kishan launched the first two deliveries for sixes, Shubman Gill encouraged him to attempt six sixes in the over. Trying to continue the assault, Ishan Kishan went for another big shot on the third ball but was caught out.
The wicketkeeper-batter jokingly told Shubman Gill that the challenge had ended his innings and denied him a chance to reach a double hundred. Shubman Gill, however, laughed it off and replied that Ishan Kishan would have attempted the shot anyway.
The century was Ishan Kishan’s second in ODI cricket. His first hundred in the format remains a historic one — a double century against Bangladesh in 2022. On that occasion, he reached the landmark in just 126 deliveries, the fastest double hundred ever recorded in ODI cricket.
Here is the video:
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The 27-year-old is currently playing his first ODI series in nearly three years. Before this series, his last appearance in the format came against Australia during the 2023 World Cup.
Explaining his batting approach, Ishan Kishan said the plan was to keep things simple and build a strong partnership with Shubman Gill. He added that the pitch was excellent for batting, giving them confidence that they could attack the bowlers whenever required. The focus, according to Ishan Kishan, was on maintaining the partnership and playing attacking shots at the right moments.
Shubman Gill also produced a sensational innings, scoring 154 runs from 110 balls. Their outstanding performances powered India to 402 all out in 49.5 overs.
The friendly banter continued when Shubman Gill questioned Ishan Kishan for not giving him the strike for several overs. Ishan Kishan admitted that he wanted to take on the spinners himself, while Shubman Gill jokingly claimed he would have found a way to keep the strike as well. Ishan Kishan eventually confessed that he had done so for two to three overs.
The third and final ODI of the series between India and Afghanistan will be played in Chennai on Saturday.
