TimesofIndia.com in Lucknow: It’s no secret that Team Indiahead coach Gautam Gambhir he firmly believes in the combination of hitting left and right.The foundation of India’s T20I template is built on this principle. With Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma in the top six, India have more southpaws to disrupt the bowling plans. In contrast, the ODI line-up was largely dominated by right-handers. Even during the Champions Trophy, the team management was forced to promote Axar Patel to No.5 to break that monotony. There have been more discussions about throwing some left-handers into the mix, but the batting unit has maintained a settled look since the ODI World Cup 2023. There have been some movements based on the game situation, but the right-handers have had their own flavour. After the lofty Champions Trophy, India lost the ODI series against Australia and South Africa, and Virat Kohli’s injury opened up an opportunity to shake things up a bit. The think tank wasted no time: Ishan Kishan walked in at No. 3 in the rain-curtailed ODI in Dharamsala, and Yashasvi Jaiswal opened with Rohit Sharma, forcing Gill in at once, for the second contest in Lucknow.While the left-right combination at the top didn’t work as Jaiswal was dismissed cheaply, Gill and Kishan put together a 224-run stand for the third wicket. The partnership had it all: elegant strokeplay, high sixes, relentless running between the posts and complete dominance of the opposition attack. Across 140 deliveries, the pair offered a compelling glimpse of what India’s batting draft could look like for the 2027 ODI World Cup.The heat was relentless and played a significant role in shaping India. Temperatures remained above 40 degrees Celsius throughout and the players were visibly struggling with it. Although there were three official drink breaks, the batsmen repeatedly asked for fluids between overs and even wore ice packs around their necks. The duo struggled with cramps and the Indian captain appeared completely exhausted by the time his innings ended.
Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill entertained the crowd at the Ekana Cricket Stadium with a stand of 224 runs off 140 balls in Lucknow. (ANI Photo)
Despite the unforgiving conditions, they gave the 13,000 spectators at the Ekana Stadium plenty to cheer about. Those who braved the extreme heat were treated to a display of bats of the highest quality.After winning the Man of the Match title in the first ODI, Gill once again asserted his authority with a magnificent 154 off 110 balls, studded with 22 fours and two sixes. It was also his first ODI century as Indian captain.Gill was at his dominant best. After Jaiswal’s early dismissal, he stepped in and picked up exactly where he had left off in Dharamsala. His finishes were regal, while his movements, cuts and moves displayed the full range of his strokeplay.India’s highest number of ODIs for the third wicket:
- 237* runs – Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in 1999
- 233* runs – Virat Kohli and KL Rahul in 2023
- 224 runs – Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli in 2009
- 224 runs – Ishan Kishan i
Shubman Gill in 2026 - 221 runs – Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh in 2009
At the other end, Kishan started cautiously before changing gears. The left-hander raced to a 71-century, only the second ODI hundred of his career after his famous double century against Bangladesh in December 2022.Once Kishan settled in, he became the aggressor in the partnership. He quickly caught up to his captain, throwing sixes on the ground. It was a fascinating contrast in styles. Gill’s performance resembled classical music, built on tempo, balance and elegance. Kishan brought an element of rock and roll, generating tremendous power with his strong bottom arm and fearless intent. One produced excellent drives; others battered pitchers with cross-bat strikes and power punches.
With 125 runs off 79 balls, Ishan Kishan scored his second ODI century against Afghanistan in the second ODI in Lucknow. (AP)
Kishan’s second fifty came in just 19 deliveries as the pair tightened control of the game. Both batsmen reached their centuries in the same period and, at that stage, India seemed well on their way to a total of more than 450.Kishan was eventually dismissed on 125 when Nangeyalia Kharote caused an accident that was safely bowled to deep midwicket. His innings contained 14 fours and seven sixes. Gill, meanwhile, struggling with severe cramps, was having a hard time turning singles into doubles. Recognizing his physical limitations, he changed gears and hit the boundary more often. He passed the 150-run mark before miscuing a switch-hitter at a sweeper in the infield to depart for 154.India’s middle and lower order, however, failed to capitalize on the platform. In their eagerness to clear the ropes, wickets fell in bunches and the innings lost momentum during the closing stages.
Shubman Gill hit his maiden century as India’s ODI captain during the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow. (ANI)
For Gill and Gambhir, however, the biggest takeaway may have been the partnership itself. The right-left combination constantly forced Afghanistan’s bowlers to change their lines and lengths, disrupted field settings and prevented the opposition from settling into a rhythm. More importantly, he combined two contrasting batting styles without compromising India’s scoring rate.
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With the road to the 2027 ODI World Cup underway, Lucknow may well be remembered as the day India got a clearer picture of what their ideal batting template might look like.
