Shubman Gill’s ninth ODI ton lights up Lucknow with dominant performance against Afghanistan:

Read, Digital Desk : The all-rounder was the undisputed star of India’s encounter against Afghanistan in the second one-dayer, scoring his ninth ODI hundred. The all-rounder looked in scintillating touch, creating problems for the visitors to solve.

India’s second encounter of their series with the Afghan all-rounders was played out at Ekana Stadium on June 17. The hosts were inserted into bat after being sent in by their rivals, following the coin toss, and lost their openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma relatively quickly.

However, the all-rounder, who was appointed captain for this clash, dominated as he chipped away at the target, eventually smashing his 9th ODI ton to put Afghanistan under massive pressure.

The star batter stepped out to the middle under difficult circumstances with Yashasvi Jaiswal already back in the dugout on the score of four, meaning the focus was all on him at the start of the match. He performed admirably and delivered for his side. Completing the milestone in just 77 deliveries, Shubman Gill now sits fifth on the list of the fastest ODI centuries against Afghanistan.

Ishan Kishan, too, gets in on the act with a masterful century

Batting alongside the captain, Ishan Kishan had been an incredible presence for the Men in Blue throughout. Building on a remarkable partnership with his batting partner, the all-rounder reached his century in just 71 deliveries, edging out the captain.

The top of the list belongs to the former England captain Eoin Morgan who registered his ton in 57 deliveries in the 2019 World Cup match between the sides, before Rohit Sharma came second with 63 deliveries in this year’s encounter in Delhi. Ishan Kishan now places third on the list with 71 deliveries, while the Indian captain is fifth with his 77.

The partnership of Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill has been a big hurdle for the opposition, who will undoubtedly be disappointed that they have managed to put on a 100+ partnership and set their team up for a fantastic first innings score.

Fastest centuries against Afghanistan in ODI cricket (by balls faced)

57 – Eoin Morgan, Manchester, 2019
63 – Rohit Sharma, Delhi, 2023
71 – Ishan Kishan, Lucknow, 2026 *
76 – Glenn Maxwell, Mumbai WS, 2023
77 – Shubman Gill, Lucknow, 2026 *