IND vs AFG: Gill surpasses Kohli, becomes fastest Indian ever to...

India's Ishan Kishan (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

NEW DELHI: Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan made the most of his opportunity and played a key supporting role alongside captain Shubman Gill as India tightened their grip on the second ODI against Afghanistan at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday.Coming in after the dismissal of Rohit Sharma, Kishan settled quickly and stitched together an unbeaten partnership with Gill to keep India's innings on track after an aggressive start from the senior opener.

India were reduced to 96/2 when Rashid Khan removed Rohit for a brisk 48 off 39 balls. With the hosts needing stability in the middle overs, Kishan joined forces with Gill and the duo ensured there were no further hiccups as India crossed 180 inside 27 overs at a healthy run rate.Kishan's sublime innings came to an end in the 37th over when Nangeyalia Kharoti finally broke the mammoth 224-run partnership. Looking to continue his assault, the left-hander went on the back foot to pull a short delivery, but the ball stayed slightly low and he failed to get the desired timing. The mistimed shot ballooned towards deep midwicket, where substitute fielder Ikram Alikhil ran in and completed a fine reverse-cup catch.

Kishan departed after a scintillating 125 off 79 balls, studded with 14 fours and seven sixes, with India's score standing at 320 and more than 10 overs left to play in the innings.

Poll

Will Shubman Gill continue his successful run in the upcoming matches?

Yes, definitelyNo, he might slow down

With this knock, the left-hander had reached the 1,000 ODI runs in 26 innings, placing him alongside some of the country's elite ODI batters.Fewest innings to 1,000 ODI runs (India)

19 - Shubman Gill

24 - Virat Kohli/Shikhar Dhawan

25 - Navjot Sidhu/Shreyas Iyer

26 - Ishan Kishan

Earlier, Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and opted to bowl first, citing assistance for spinners on a fresh surface. India made three changes to their playing XI, with pacer Prince Yadav handed his international debut, while Kuldeep Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal returned to the side.Having won the series opener by seven wickets, India entered the contest with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.