The Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow witnessed one other fascinating battle between India and Afghanistan through the second ODI of the sequence on Wednesday, June 17. After Afghanistan received the toss and elected to subject first, the guests made an early breakthrough when Mohammad Saleem Safi dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Nevertheless, India rapidly recovered by way of captain Rohit Sharma, who appeared in elegant contact from the very starting of his innings. The veteran opener performed with authority in opposition to each tempo and spin, discovering boundaries frequently and serving to India race to 80 runs inside the primary ten overs. Simply when a half-century appeared inevitable, Afghanistan’s premier spinner Rashid Khan delivered a second of brilliance.
Rashid Khan’s trademark googly ends Rohit Sharma’s fluent knock
The decisive second arrived on the very first ball of the 14th over. Rashid, who had been probing from one finish, unleashed his trademark googly that utterly deceived the Indian captain. Rashid delivered a short-of-length ball that spun sharply again into the right-hander. Rohit appeared to misinterpret the variation and remained rooted on the again foot whereas making an attempt to convey his bat down on the final second. The ball sneaked by way of the slim hole between bat and pad, clipping the within edge earlier than crashing into the stumps.
The dismissal introduced an finish to an entertaining innings of 48 runs from 39 deliveries, which included six boundaries and two towering sixes. Having appeared set for a big rating, Rohit was left upset as he fell simply two runs wanting his fifty. The Afghanistan gamers erupted in celebration as Rashid as soon as once more showcased why he stays probably the most harmful spinners in world cricket. The wicket was significantly important contemplating the way through which Rohit had dominated the bowling assault all through the powerplay and early center overs.
Right here’s the video:
🚨 ROHIT SHARMA IS OUT! 🚨
– Rashid Khan strikes pure magic from the Afghan wizard
– Sharma departs on 48 off 39 effectively bowled! pic.twitter.com/TNavNQNa3K
— Talha Nawaz (@TalhaDigital007) June 17, 2026
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India keep management regardless of Rohit Sharma’s departure
Earlier than Rashid’s breakthrough, Rohit had laid a powerful basis for the hosts with an aggressive but managed innings. The Indian skipper bought going early with a boundary within the second over earlier than launching consecutive sixes to place the Afghanistan bowlers beneath stress.
His constructive strategy ensured India maintained a wholesome scoring fee, and by the point he departed, the hosts had reached 96/2. The wicket introduced Ishan Kishan to the crease alongside Shubman Gill, creating an sudden middle-order partnership. The duo responded brilliantly to the problem and ensured there was no lack of momentum. Gill continued to anchor the innings whereas Kishan performed his pure attacking recreation, permitting India to maintain the scoreboard ticking at a brisk tempo.
Their partnership crossed the 50-run mark in simply 47 deliveries, irritating Afghanistan’s bowlers regardless of the essential scalp of Rohit. On the time of writing, India have been comfortably positioned at 146/2 after 21 overs, with Gill and Kishan firmly in management. Whereas Rashid’s magical googly offered Afghanistan with a memorable spotlight, India’s robust batting platform ensured they remained well-positioned to submit a commanding complete within the second ODI.
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