India captain Shubman Gill continued his remarkable run of form with a match-winning 154 against Afghanistan, helping India secure a commanding 170-run victory and an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Gill’s latest century came in Lucknow, where he anchored India’s innings and shared a crucial 224-run partnership with Ishan Kishan, who contributed a brilliant 125. Their stand powered India to a massive total of 402, leaving Afghanistan with a daunting chase.
The innings capped an extraordinary few weeks for Gill. The 26-year-old began his hot streak with a century for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026 Qualifier 2, followed it with his 11th Test century in the one-off Test against Afghanistan, and then added an unbeaten 85 in the first ODI before producing his 154-run masterclass in the series decider.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar praised Gill’s consistency and suggested that his success with the bat is also enhancing his leadership abilities.
Speaking to the media, Gavaskar said strong personal performances give captains greater confidence to make instinctive tactical decisions on the field. He noted that when a captain is in good form, they are more willing to trust their judgment on bowling changes, field placements and game management.
While Gill and Kishan dominated with the bat, India’s young pace attack ensured the hosts completed a comprehensive victory. Afghanistan were bowled out for 232, with emerging fast bowlers Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav sharing five wickets between them.
Gavaskar reserved special praise for Brar, highlighting his rhythm, accuracy and ability to generate steep bounce. He also credited the national selection panel, led by Ajit Agarkar, for identifying the young pacer’s potential and backing him at the international level.
The convincing victory further underlined India’s growing strength ahead of major international tournaments, with Gill’s exceptional form emerging as one of the team’s biggest positives. His recent performances have strengthened his position as one of world cricket’s leading batters and provided India with a confident leader at the top of the order.
