Shahidi Refuses to Blame Toss After India Clinch Series with Dominant 170-Run Victory Over Afghanistan

Lucknow, June 2026 : Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi refused to hide behind excuses after his team suffered a crushing 170-run defeat to India in the second ODI at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, admitting that poor bowling rather than conditions or the toss proved decisive in handing the hosts an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

India produced another commanding all-round performance, piling up a massive 402 before bowling Afghanistan out for 232. While the visitors faced a daunting chase from the outset, Shahidi made it clear that Afghanistan’s inability to execute with the ball laid the foundation for their downfall.

“You cannot put all things on toss. I think we were not good enough at bowling,” Shahidi said after the match. “We gave them momentum, and that’s why we didn’t bowl well in the first 20 overs.”

Afghanistan had their moments early on but failed to sustain pressure as India’s batting line-up took control. The defining moment came through a record-breaking 224-run third-wicket partnership between Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, who turned a solid start into a formidable total.

Gill and Kishan punished loose deliveries and capitalized on every scoring opportunity, leaving Afghanistan’s bowlers searching for answers. Although the visitors managed to pull things back slightly in the death overs through Nangeyalia Kharoti and Rashid Khan, the damage had already been done.

Shahidi acknowledged the challenging weather conditions but insisted that they were no excuse for the team’s shortcomings.

“It was hot, but at the same time, you cannot put everything on the toss. You have to bowl well in the right areas. We didn’t do that well today, so hopefully we will learn from this,” he said.

Chasing a mammoth target of 403, Afghanistan attempted to inject aggression into their batting order by promoting Darwish Rasooli ahead of Shahidi. The move was aimed at accelerating the scoring rate, but circumstances did not unfold as planned.

Explaining the decision, Shahidi revealed that Rasooli had been struggling physically during the innings.

“I asked him, and the coach asked him if he was okay. He said, ‘I am okay, I want to bat.’ That’s why I told him to go before me because he is a good striker of the ball and we needed someone to hit big for us,” Shahidi explained.

“Unfortunately, he got cramps again, and hopefully he recovers soon.”

The tactical gamble failed to alter the course of the chase as India’s bowlers maintained control throughout. Afghanistan’s brightest resistance came from experienced batter Rahmat Shah, whose fighting 79 prevented an even heavier defeat.

Rahmat once again showcased his value in the middle order, displaying resilience and composure while wickets continued to tumble around him. Shahidi also singled out wicketkeeper-batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz for praise, pointing to his performances as a positive takeaway from a difficult series.

“I think there is a lot of learning because it was a tough series for us,” Shahidi said. “The way Rahmat played today and the way Gurbaz is playing, these are positive things for us.”

Despite identifying positives, the Afghanistan captain stressed that significant improvement is required in the bowling department if his side hopes to finish the series strongly.

“We need to be up to the mark in our bowling department because the next game is also crucial for us. Hopefully, we improve in that area,” he added.

With the series already decided, Afghanistan will head to Chennai seeking both a consolation victory and answers to their bowling struggles. India, meanwhile, will aim to complete a clean sweep and continue their dominant run ahead of future international assignments.

Team Maverick