232/10 (44.3)
CR : 5.21
402/10 (49.5)
CR : 8.07
India won by 170 runs 🏆
Player of the Match
Shubman Gill
154(110)
Highest Match Aggregates in India vs Afghanistan ODIs:
634 runs – Lucknow, 2026, Today*
545 runs – Delhi, 2023
504 runs – Dubai (DICS), 2018
634 runs – Lucknow, 2026, Today*
545 runs – Delhi, 2023
504 runs – Dubai (DICS), 2018
Time for post-match presentations with Murali Kartik...
Hashmatullah Shahidi (Afghanistan Captain): "(Wrong decision at toss?) You cannot put everything down to the toss. I think we were simply not good enough with the ball. We gave them too many easy scoring opportunities and allowed them to build momentum. That's why we didn't bowl well during the first 20 overs.
(In the afternoon, it was hot and difficult to bowl) Yes, it was hot, but at the same time, you cannot blame everything on the toss. You still have to bowl in the right areas, and we didn't do that today. We simply weren't good enough with the ball, and hopefully we'll learn from this performance.
(On Darwish Rasooli's injury) I think he was suffering from cramps. When the coach and I spoke to him, we asked if he was okay to bat, and he said he was fine and wanted to go in. That's why I sent him ahead of me. He's a good striker of the ball, and we needed someone capable of hitting big shots at that stage. Unfortunately, the cramps returned, and hopefully he'll recover soon.
(On the final ODI in Chennai) I think there have been a lot of learnings because it has been a tough series for us. Hopefully, we can perform well in Chennai.
There have been positives as well. Rahmat played today, Gurbaz has played, and there are several encouraging signs for us.
But we need to improve in the bowling department because that's where we've fallen short. The next game is also important for us, and hopefully we'll be much better with the ball."
(In the afternoon, it was hot and difficult to bowl) Yes, it was hot, but at the same time, you cannot blame everything on the toss. You still have to bowl in the right areas, and we didn't do that today. We simply weren't good enough with the ball, and hopefully we'll learn from this performance.
(On Darwish Rasooli's injury) I think he was suffering from cramps. When the coach and I spoke to him, we asked if he was okay to bat, and he said he was fine and wanted to go in. That's why I sent him ahead of me. He's a good striker of the ball, and we needed someone capable of hitting big shots at that stage. Unfortunately, the cramps returned, and hopefully he'll recover soon.
(On the final ODI in Chennai) I think there have been a lot of learnings because it has been a tough series for us. Hopefully, we can perform well in Chennai.
There have been positives as well. Rahmat played today, Gurbaz has played, and there are several encouraging signs for us.
But we need to improve in the bowling department because that's where we've fallen short. The next game is also important for us, and hopefully we'll be much better with the ball."
Biggest Six Award: Ishan Kishan (89 metres)
All-round Performance Award: Ishan Kishan
Striker of the Match: Shubman Gill (22 fours)
Best Fielder: Prince Yadav (Catch to dismiss Ibrahim Zadran)
Player of the Match: Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill (India Captain and POTM): "[On his body] A little sore. I got cramps when I went out there. It was really hot and I batted for almost 40-45 overs, so I was getting cramps in different areas of the body, but I am much better now.
[On his batting] Honestly, I am in a pretty good space. The ball is going exactly where I want it to go, and I am feeling very confident from the first ball. Even in this match, in this series, I had a target for myself that I want to be there, and finish matches and bat 40-45 overs and build that habit whenever I get a start, I want to convert those into big ones. So, very happy to do that.
[Was he targeting 200 as he played a reverse sweep to get out?] Yes, I was but I knew that I will have to keep hitting my shots and I kept 430, 440, 450 in mind and I actually think I middled it too well that it went to deep covers.
[Was it a good toss to lose?] Honestly, not really. Even if we would have bowled first, I think the wicket was pretty much similar. If we would have gotten a target of 310, 320 or 330 it would have been a good chase for us and it would have been good pressure on our batting group.
[On the team environment and the young fast bowlers] We are all in very good space. The way our fast bowlers are bowling in this heat on these wickets. It is not easy to keep hitting the deck and keep hitting those areas so consistently with that pace so very happy with that."
[On his batting] Honestly, I am in a pretty good space. The ball is going exactly where I want it to go, and I am feeling very confident from the first ball. Even in this match, in this series, I had a target for myself that I want to be there, and finish matches and bat 40-45 overs and build that habit whenever I get a start, I want to convert those into big ones. So, very happy to do that.
[Was he targeting 200 as he played a reverse sweep to get out?] Yes, I was but I knew that I will have to keep hitting my shots and I kept 430, 440, 450 in mind and I actually think I middled it too well that it went to deep covers.
[Was it a good toss to lose?] Honestly, not really. Even if we would have bowled first, I think the wicket was pretty much similar. If we would have gotten a target of 310, 320 or 330 it would have been a good chase for us and it would have been good pressure on our batting group.
[On the team environment and the young fast bowlers] We are all in very good space. The way our fast bowlers are bowling in this heat on these wickets. It is not easy to keep hitting the deck and keep hitting those areas so consistently with that pace so very happy with that."
Afghanistan's wait for their maiden ODI win against India continues! Centuries for Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan set up the game, though the tourists fought back towards the end to see the hosts get all out despite scoring beyond 400. It was always a tall mountain for Afghanistan to climb, and they were never in the run chase. Indian seamers made a light work of it, helping the side dominate the show at the Ekana with a 170-run win. They now lead the series 2-0 and will aim to complete the whitewash when they take the field in the third ODI at Chepauk on 20th June.
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Manan Mehta, helping buddy Mohammad Anab, scorer Bishal Mandal and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it's cheers!
For now, this is me, AkshayaKrishna Polya, signing off on behalf of my co-commentator Manan Mehta, helping buddy Mohammad Anab, scorer Bishal Mandal and statistician Aman. We will meet again. Until then, it's cheers!