Afghanistan wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz earned widespread praise for a heartwarming gesture towards India skipper Shubman Gill in the course of the second ODI in Lucknow on Wednesday, June 17. With players from each side struggling as a result of extreme heat, several cramp-related stoppages were seen on the sphere.
Gill, who was batting fluently on the Ekana Cricket Stadium, also battled cramps during his innings. On one such occasion, he appeared in visible discomfort while lying on the bottom, and Gurbaz stepped in to help him with stretching in a rare moment of sportsmanship.
The incident occurred within the thirty eighth over when Gill stepped out to flick a delivery from AM Ghazanfar that drifted down the leg side. He missed the ball, and Gurbaz quickly dislodged the bails, but Gill managed to get his foot back into the crease in time.
Nonetheless, Gill soon went down on the bottom in severe pain. Gurbaz, who had initially appealed for a possible stumping, immediately shifted his focus to the Indian skipper and assisted him with stretching his legs. The moment drew widespread appreciation from fans, who lauded Gurbaz for his compassionate gesture.
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Centuries from Gill and Kishan Take India to 402
India made three changes to their playing XI after Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out as a result of a sore thigh. Afghanistan won the toss and opted to bowl first, making an early breakthrough by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal. Nonetheless, Shubman Gill anchored the innings with a superb 154 off 110 balls, striking 22 boundaries and two sixes to guide India to a commanding total of 402.
This knock also marked his ninth ODI century. Ishan Kishan provided strong support with a blazing 125 off 79 deliveries, featuring 14 fours and 7 sixes, bringing up his first ODI hundred in three years. For Afghanistan, Nangeyalia Kharoti was the standout bowler, ending with figures of 4/76 in his 10 overs.
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