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TimesofIndia.com in Lucknow: It is no secret that Team India‘s head coach Gautam Gambhir is a strong believer in the left-right batting combination.The foundation of India’s T20I template has been built around that principle. With Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma in the top six, India have multiple southpaws to disrupt bowling plans. In contrast, the ODI setup has largely been 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.Multiple discussions have occurred about injecting some left-handers into the mix but the batting unit has maintained a settled look since the 2023 ODI World Cup. There were some movements based on the game situation but right-handers have been the flavour. After the high of the Champions Trophy, India lost ODI series against Australia and South Africa and Virat Kohli’s injury opened up an opportunity to shake things up a bit. The thinktank 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 to come in at one drop, 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 stitched together a 224-run stand for the third wicket. The partnership had everything: elegant strokeplay, towering sixes, relentless running between the wickets and complete domination of the opposition attack. Across 140 deliveries, the pair offered a compelling glimpse into what India’s batting blueprint for the 2027 ODI World Cup could look like.The heat was relentless and played a significant role in shaping India’s innings. Temperatures remained above 40 degrees Celsius throughout, with players visibly struggling to cope. Although three official drinks breaks were scheduled, batters repeatedly called for fluids between overs and even wore ice packs around their necks. The duo battled cramps, and the Indian captain appeared completely drained by the time his innings ended.
Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill entertained the crowd at the Ekana Cricket Stadium with a 224-run stand across 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 batting exhibition of the highest quality.After his Player of the Match-winning effort in the first ODI, Gill once again stamped his authority with a magnificent 154 off 110 balls, studded with 22 fours and two sixes. It was also his maiden ODI century as India’s captain.Gill was at his dominant best. After Jaiswal’s early dismissal, he walked in and picked up exactly where he had left off in Dharamsala. His cover drives were regal, while his flicks, cuts and pulls showcased the full range of his strokeplay.India’s highest stands in ODIs for 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 and
Shubman Gill in 2026 - 221 runs – Virender Sehwag and Yuvraj Singh in 2009
At the other end, Kishan began cautiously before shifting through the gears. The left-hander raced to a 71-ball 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 rapidly caught up with his captain, launching sixes all around the ground. It was a fascinating contrast in styles. Gill’s innings resembled classical music, built on timing, balance and elegance. Kishan brought the rock-and-roll element, generating immense power through his strong bottom hand and fearless intent. One produced exquisite drives; the other bludgeoned bowlers with cross-batted swipes and towering hits.
With 125 runs from 79 balls, Ishan Kishan struck 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 their grip on the game. Both batters reached their centuries in the same over and, at that stage, India appeared well on course for a total in excess of 450.Kishan was eventually dismissed for 125 when Nangeyalia Kharote induced a miscue that was safely pouched at deep midwicket. His innings featured 14 fours and seven sixes. Gill, meanwhile, struggling with severe cramps, found it difficult to convert singles into twos. Recognising his physical limitations, he shifted gears and targeted the boundary more frequently. He crossed the 150-run mark before mistiming a switch hit to the sweeper fielder and departed for 154.India’s middle and lower order, however, failed to capitalise on the platform. In their eagerness to clear the ropes, wickets fell in clusters and the innings lost momentum during the final phase.
Shubman Gill slammed his maiden century as India’s ODI captain during the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow. (ANI)
For Gill and Gambhir, though, the biggest takeaway may have been the partnership itself. The right-left combination constantly forced Afghanistan’s bowlers to alter their lines and lengths, disrupted field settings and prevented the opposition from settling into a rhythm. More importantly, it combined two contrasting batting styles without compromising India’s scoring rate. With the road to the 2027 ODI World Cup now underway, Lucknow may well be remembered as the day India got a clearer picture of what their ideal batting template could look like.
