India skipper Shubman Gill continued his fine run of form, bringing up yet another half-century with a six in the second ODI of the three-match series against Afghanistan. The match is being played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, June 17.
On the first ball of the 17th over of the Men in Blue’s innings, Nangeyalia Kharote bowled a 90 kph short-of-length delivery outside off stump. The ball came on slowly and did not rise much off the pitch. The right-hander pulled it from knee-roll height for a six over wide long-on to reach his fifty off 38 balls.
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Playing in his 63rd ODI, this marked Shubman Gill’s 19th half-century of his career, along with eight centuries and a career-best score of 208.
Shubman Gill looks in fine touch as India look set for a big total
Put into bat, India did not get the desired start as they lost opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for just four runs in the second over. Rohit Sharma and skipper Shubman Gill then began to play with intent, helping the side reach 80/1 at the end of the powerplay.
The pair added 87 runs off 67 balls for the second wicket before Rohit missed out on a well-deserved fifty, falling for 48 off 39 balls after hitting six fours and two sixes off Rashid Khan in the 14th over. Ishan Kishan then walked in at No. 4 and, alongside Gill, kept the scoreboard ticking. Gill reached his fifty in the 17th over, and at the end of the 20th over, the Men in Blue were 136/2.
At the time of writing, after 24 overs, India were 170/2 with Gill on 79 off 59 balls and Ishan on a run-a-ball 37.
A win in the ongoing match will help the hosts take an unassailable 2-0 lead, having won the series opener by seven wickets while chasing 195 in 25 overs in Dharamsala on June 13.
Edited by Dev Sharma
