India Crushes Afghanistan to Seal Series as Mandhana and Bavuma Make TIME 100 Most Influential List

The cricketing world is buzzing today, June 18, 2026, following a historic night of explosive batting in Lucknow and major off-field global recognition for two of the sport's finest leaders.

Demolition in Lucknow: India Seals the Series

Team India has officially taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, delivering an absolute masterclass at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. The hosts secured a massive 170-run victory, driven by an unstoppable top-order assault that left the Afghan bowlers with no answers.

After Afghanistan won the toss and surprisingly opted to bowl first, they were immediately put on the back foot. Captain Shubman Gill led from the front, cementing his reputation as the premier batter of his generation with a sensational knock of 154 runs. He was perfectly complemented by wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, who aggressively dismantled the spin attack to smash a dazzling 125. The sheer magnitude of the partnership effectively ended the contest before the second innings even began.

With the series now securely in the bag, the Indian management might look to test their bench strength in the 3rd and final ODI, scheduled to take place on June 20th at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Global Recognition: Mandhana and Bavuma Shine on TIME's Elite List

Away from the pitch, cricket has cemented its growing global footprint. TIME magazine has just unveiled its inaugural '100 Most Influential People in Sports 2026' list, and two prominent cricketers have made the cut, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with international superstars like LeBron James, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.

 

Smriti Mandhana, the dynamic vice-captain of the Indian women's national team, is the sole Indian to feature on the prestigious list. TIME's profile highlighted her staggering list of accomplishments, noting that the records simply "keep tumbling in" for the 29-year-old.

• She is the first Indian woman to score a domestic one-day double century.

• She holds the joint record for the most international centuries in women's cricket (17).

• She captained the Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two Women's Premier League titles (2024 and 2026).

Joining her from the cricketing fraternity is South African Men's Test captain Temba Bavuma. TIME highlighted Bavuma's profound impact both as a leader and a trailblazer. After becoming his nation's first Black captain, Bavuma recently guided the Proteas to their first major international title since 1998, securing the ICC World Test Championship trophy in 2025. His inclusion is a testament to his resilience and his role in inspiring a new generation of South African cricketers.

Between the absolute dominance on the field in Lucknow and the global recognition of the sport's top leaders, it has been a phenomenal 24 hours for the global cricketing community.