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The India National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batter has smashed the record-breaking century in the ongoing second ODI against the Afghanistan National Cricket Team in Lucknow. With this knock, fans feel Ishan Kishan has almost ended Rishabh Pant’s ODI career.
Rishabh Pant has already lost his place across the formats, and now Ishan’s stunning run of form has further pushed the latter away from the reckoning, especially with the ICC World Cup 2027 approaching. Not only Pant, Ishan Kishan also put KL Rahul's ODI spot under threat.
Ishan Kishan smashes record century in Lucknow
In the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, Ishan Kishan is being preferred as the wicketkeeper-batter, and he grabbed his chance with both hands. After scoring 34 runs in Dharamshala, the Indian star made a remarkable comeback in the second ODI in Lucknow.
Ishan smashed the third fastest ODI century against Afghanistan. It was his second ODI century that came off 71 balls in Lucknow. The left-handed batter notched up his century in spectacular fashion, reaching the three figures with a stunning boundary through the offside against Bilal Sami.
After completing the milestone, Kishan celebrated by raising his bat and taking off his helmet as the Lucknow crowd and player applauded his effort. India captain Shubman Gill walked up to congratulate Ishan and shared a warm hug with his batting partner.
It was really impressive the way Kishan accelerated. He reached his half-century in 52 balls but then completely changed gears, scoring the next 53 runs in just 19 deliveries to race to a magnificent hundred against Afghanistan in the ongoing second ODI in Lucknow.
Here's how fans react to Ishan Kishan's stunning century in Lucknow:
It looks like Ishan Kishan is the first choice WK Batsman for 2027 CWC and KL Rahul will play as a Batsman.
— Signature of Cricket ! (@BabajiSutar3) June 17, 2026
It’s over for Rishabh pant in ODI and T20 .
Brilliant comeback innings by Kishan . #INDvsAFG #IshanKishan pic.twitter.com/UawcHtptTW
Both Left Handed..Both Dimunitive ..both aggressive..both wicketkeepers but Looking at the range of strokes, the fitness and shape of Ishan Kishan ..must say he has stolen the march over Rishabh Pant in white ball cricket 👌🏅 https://t.co/yx95FXawwE
— CRICKETO (@saffroncareers) June 17, 2026
I don't think anybody would've thought during the 2016 U19 WC that Ishan Kishan would end up playing more World Cups than Rishabh Pant.
— Manas (@manas__3) June 17, 2026
Kishan khaa gaya Pant ka ODI career - and honestly he deserves it
— s (@shivvamm8) June 17, 2026
Arms aloft, big smile, celebrations to cherish 🥳
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 17, 2026
Ishan Kishan, take a bow! 🙇
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/JYJ5l44iJ6#TeamIndia | #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank | @ishankishan51 pic.twitter.com/bP9vICKnE2
💥 ISHAN KISHAN GOES OFF! 🔥
— Bhavesh Gujrati (@Bhaveshlivelife) June 17, 2026
HUNDRED in just 71 balls! 💯⚡
The explosive keeper batter lights up the stadium with a sensational century. 🥶🇮🇳
Absolute madness. This is peak Ishan Kishan! 🚀
Who else is loving this knock? 👀 pic.twitter.com/lokPwL9gFN
Returned to the T20i team. ✅
— Sandeep Kumar (@chill_guys22) June 17, 2026
- Picked for the T20 World Cup. ✅
- Ruled the T20 World Cup. ✅
- Won the T20 World Cup. ✅
- Returned to the ODI team. ✅
- Bossing the ODI team. ✅
ISHAN KISHAN IN 2026 IS UNSTOPPABLE. 🔥#AFGvsIND pic.twitter.com/f4Q2Ezkomg
Ishan Kishan brings up his second ODI century in just 71 balls.
— Vishal Yadav (@CricVishalyadav) June 17, 2026
A breathtaking display of power, precision and fearless strokeplay, a knock that underlines his immense talent and match-winning ability.🔥💙 pic.twitter.com/LBngTIlC90
Look at the reaction of Gautam Gambhir
— Raja (@_raja_kumar) June 17, 2026
- Gambhir has got the Trump card of Ishan Kishan for 2027 World Cup pic.twitter.com/k3DmwMq1fi
Bhai kya pwrformance di hai ishan kishan ka comeback ek no. Hai bhai maza aagya bande ko sab jagah se nikal diya tha aaj usne t-20 or odi dono main apni jagah pkki krli hai bsa test aur baaki hai
— karan 🇮🇳 (@karanchopra1900) June 17, 2026
🚨 Ishan Kishan is truly an inspiration for everyone.
— Indian Cricket Ministry (@Tejashyyyyyy) June 17, 2026
He was dropped from the Indian team in 2023 and Then he worked hard in domestic cricket and forced the selectors to pick him again.
Now, he is consistently scoring runs for India in every match 🫡❤️
pic.twitter.com/zoBv5CzZIP
The Redemption Arc is complete. 👑
— Hemant Bhavsar (@hemantbhavsar86) June 17, 2026
🗓️ Jan 2026: Maiden T20I Century vs NZ.
🗓️ Jun 2026: Match-winning ODI Century vs AFG.
Ishan Kishan isn't just back—he’s evolved. The aggression, the maturity, the hunger. Ishan 2.0 is a different beast entirely! 🔥🏏 pic.twitter.com/22SFHGTObj
Always thankful to Pragyan Ojha & RP Singh for attending Ishan Kishan's domestic games & bringing him back to Indian setup when Ajit Agarkar had dropped him from all formats at such young age when Ishan had already done so so well.
— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) June 17, 2026
Ishan Kishan is going to rule all formats♥️ pic.twitter.com/kvjKjmEdgk
So kohli coming in eng series, gg has to make place for him so he can't drop captain gill, iyer is your vc, kl is your no.5, Ishan kishan is performing peak.
— Crictalker (@KohlixIconic) June 17, 2026
So I guess who will get dropped 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/TFObMspQJK
Ishan Kishan crazy innings in Ekana Lucknow first 50 with 52 balls next 53 runs 19 balls . After returning in international cricket he is a special beast man of the match against pakistan in T20 wc against pakistan then match winning innings in final. #Imdvsafg pic.twitter.com/NkcLKIb7Oa
— Akhil (@Akhil25696223) June 17, 2026
I really like Ishan Kishan and I want him to play for India.
— Vihaan. (@Vihaann96) June 17, 2026
He's a promising WK batter, and tbh, it was harsh to see him out of the setup for nearly two years despite performing in the opportunities he got.
I still believe he can be India's long-term wicketkeeping option in…
Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan create history with record-breaking partnership against Afghanistan
Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, who also smashed a century in Lucknow, and Ishan Kishan created history with a sensational partnership against Afghanistan in the second ODI in Lucknow. The Indian duo added a massive 224 runs for the third wicket and completely dominated the Afghan bowlers.
This is now the joint second-highest partnership against Afghanistan in ODI cricket history. The 260-run stand between David Warner and Steve Smith for Australia in 2015 tops the chart. Gill and Kishan's 224-run partnership has equalled the 224-run opening stand shared by Zimbabwe's Hamilton Masakadza and Sikandar Raza against Afghanistan in 2014.
Gill and Ishan not only scored heavily but also scored at a very rapid pace. Their 224-run stand came in just 140 balls at a run rate of 9.60 runs per over, making it one of India's fastest 200-plus partnerships in ODI cricket.
Only the 208-run partnership between Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul against the Netherlands during the 2023 ODI World Cup came at a faster scoring rate for India. Those runs came at 9.82 runs per over.
Gill's and Kishan's explosive partnership has now gone past the famous 290-run stand between Ishan and Virat Kohli against Bangladesh in 2022 in terms of scoring rate. They scored at 9.15 runs per over.
