Back With a Bang! Ishan Kishan’s Blazing Ton Ends 4-Year Wait, Breaks Sidhu-Iyer Record in IND vs AFG Clash

India’s explosive wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan delivered a statement innings when it mattered the most, smashing a breathtaking century against Afghanistan national cricket team in the second ODI at Ekana Cricket Stadium on June 17. The knock not only marked his return to ODI centuries after four years but also saw him surpass a long-standing record held by Navjot Singh Sidhu and Shreyas Iyer.

Walking in after the dismissal of Rohit Sharma, who scored a quickfire 48, Kishan showed remarkable composure before shifting gears into an all-out attack. At a crucial juncture with India at 96/2, he stitched together a monumental partnership with skipper Shubman Gill, ensuring there was no collapse and steadily tightening India’s grip on the match.

“It was a knock that blended maturity with fearless strokeplay,” as the young left-hander countered both pace and spin with ease, particularly taking on Afghanistan’s ace spinner Rashid Khan.

A Partnership That Turned the Game

Kishan and Gill’s partnership proved to be the backbone of India’s innings. The duo added a massive 224 runs, taking India comfortably past 180 within just 27 overs and keeping the run rate soaring. Their chemistry at the crease dismantled Afghanistan’s bowling attack and shifted the momentum entirely in India’s favour.

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Kishan’s innings eventually ended in the 37th over when Nangeyalia Kharoti broke the stand. Attempting an aggressive pull shot, Kishan mistimed the delivery, which was smartly caught by substitute fielder Ikram Alikhil at deep midwicket.

Century to Remember

The southpaw walked back after scoring a sensational 125 off just 79 balls, an innings decorated with 14 boundaries and 7 towering sixes. His dismissal came with India already in a commanding position, crossing the 320-run mark with plenty of overs still remaining.

This century holds special significance as it marks Kishan’s first ODI hundred since his historic double century against Bangladesh in 2022 — an innings that had announced his arrival on the global stage.

Record-Breaking Feat

With this knock, Kishan also crossed the 1,000-run milestone in ODIs in just his 26th innings, placing him among some of India’s fastest to reach the landmark. In doing so, he surpassed records previously associated with players like Sidhu and Iyer, further underlining his growing stature in India’s white-ball setup.

“This wasn’t just a comeback—it was a reminder of Kishan’s immense potential,” cricket observers noted, as the youngster made a strong case for consistency in India’s middle order.

India in Command

By the time Kishan departed, India had laid a rock-solid foundation, leaving Afghanistan with a daunting task. With contributions from Gill and a strong platform built in the middle overs, the hosts looked firmly in control of the contest.

As the series progresses, Kishan’s return to form could prove to be a massive boost for India, especially with major tournaments on the horizon.