IPL 2026

Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan smash centuries as India dominate Afghanistan in Lucknow

By Sandy Verma

Out under the fierce heat of Lucknow’s sky, India’s batters took control early. Shubman Gill led without shouting, his bat doing the talking through crisp drives and sharp turns. Close behind him, Ishan Kishan played with fire but kept his balance, timing each shot like clockwork.

While others waited their turn, these two built something solid, yet explosive. The century came for Gill, quiet and firm; Kishan responded with flair, dancing down the pitch when needed. Overs melted away as boundaries piled up, no bowler finding rhythm. By the time they stopped, 266 stood on the board – tall, heavy, almost unanswerable. Afghanistan watched it unfold, arms crossed, eyes squinting into the glare.

Out of Dharamsala’s shortened game came a slick win, seven wickets cleared inside 25 overs under damp skies. Lucknow awaited, with India balancing now and later – series control close, but thoughts drifting beyond.

Not long ago, Gill spoke about trials like these shaping up what might work when the big tournament arrives down the road. So they tried something fresh: Prince Yadav, pace hopeful, handed his first look under fire that night.

An Early Hiccup and a Captain’s Knock: Shubman Gill

Heads won the flip, so Afghanistan chose to wait their turn with the ball under a scorching sky where thermometers hit forty. Maybe they hoped the pitch would play tricks on batters early. Their idea showed promise at first. Back in the opener’s role, Yashasvi Jaiswal fell quickly – out for four, caught off Mohammed Saleem’s delivery. That brought the skipper walking in as early as the third over.

Slotted into three instead of his usual spot to make space for Jaiswal, Gill arrived calm and settled fast. Alongside Rohit Sharma, now captain, they rebuilt smoothly – crafting an 87-run partnership after the early loss. Elegance marked every shot as Rohit edged towards fifty, looking certain to get there. Yet it slipped away at 48, two less than a half century, ending just short of the mark.

Then came Shubman Gill, taking charge. A calmness took hold as Gill began to push the pace. Not long after, he touched three figures for the first time in ODIs as skipper – done in just 76 balls. This wasn’t my chance. It came amid a run of consistency few have matched so soon. His name now sits beside MS Dhoni’s after exactly 63 outings, tied on nine hundreds. History blinked, then noted the moment.

Also read: Prince Yadav makes ODI debut as India ring changes against Afghanistan in Lucknow

The Return of the Pocket Dynamo: Ishan Kishan

Out near the boundary, Shubman Gill kept things clean and sharp. Over there, though, everything exploded when Ishan Kishan arrived. He wasn’t just playing – he stamped his presence loud and clear. This moment belonged to him, a bold signal that he is back.

Ishan Kishan came hard at the Afghan spin bowlers, sending them flying past the ropes without hesitation. Off he went, clearing the boundary with both Shahidi and Rashid Khan looking on helplessly. 71 deliveries – that was all it took for him to cross three figures in style. The innings stood as his first ODI ton since that massive two-hundred knock against Bangladesh back in late 2022. Once again, he proved how explosive he can be when set in a fifty-over game.

266 for 2 after just 33 overs, India had already pulled the game far beyond reach. Instead of seizing momentum through swing, then spinning it wider, Afghanistan’s bowlers sagged under constant pressure. Not once did they gain footing – each over chipped away by Gill and Kishan hitting together without pause.

In Lucknow, fans barely noticed the scorching air – such was the pull of seeing two rising Indian talents shine as few others can. With 2027 on the horizon, moments like these aren’t just impressive – they signal a shift. While others watch, India’s new wave steps forward, calm and certain. The game takes notice when youth play with this kind of fire.

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