2nd ODI: Prince Yadav debuts as Afghanistan ask India to bat first

India sealed a commanding 170-run victory over Afghanistan in the second One Day International at Lucknow's Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, clinching the three-match series with a game to spare. The match saw a sensational debut from Indian pacer Prince Yadav, who not only took two crucial wickets but also dismissed Afghanistan's top scorer, Rahmat Shah, to seal the win. This decisive performance underscores India's formidable strength in white-ball cricket, setting a high bar for the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup. The foundations for India's dominant display were laid by captain Shubman Gill, who battled intense heat to smash a masterful 154 off 110 balls, alongside Ishan Kishan explosive 125 off 79 deliveries, forging a monumental 224-run partnership that propelled India to a formidable total of 402. Afghanistan's chase, despite a valiant 79 from Rahmat Shah, crumbled under pressure from a disciplined Indian bowling attack, notably led by Gurnoor Brar (3/60) and Arshdeep Singh (3/45). This series victory, following a comfortable win in the first ODI, highlights India's strategic experimentation with new talent like Yadav, who impressed with his pace and variations during his recent IPL 2026 stint for Lucknow Super Giants. With the series wrapped up 2-0, attention now shifts to the third and final ODI in Chennai on Saturday, June 20, where India is expected to continue its squad rotation as part of its preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. The emergence of players like Prince Yadav, a former BCCI-banned pacer who has revitalized his career, offers exciting prospects for India's bowling depth. Afghanistan, despite the series loss, will look to salvage pride and fine-tune their strategies, particularly their batting coherence, to demonstrate their capacity against top-tier opponents.