📅 June 17, 2026 | By Pulse India News Desk
India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Preview: India Eye Series Win Amid Search for World Cup Depth
🏟️ Match Details
Match: India vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI
Series: Afghanistan tour of India 2026
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Time: 1:30 PM IST
Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
📝 Match Preview
The opening ODI in Dharamsala offered a clear look at where both teams stand in their 2027 World Cup build-up. India began their 50-over preparations with a comfortable seven-wicket win in a rain-curtailed 25-over contest, showing the strength of their established core as well as the promise of new faces.
Shubman Gill looked composed as captain, Ishan Kishan returned in a new role, and India handed debuts to players who immediately added to the competition for places. Gurnoor Brar impressed on debut, Harsh Dubey had an eventful first outing, and Nitish Kumar Reddy’s timely breakthroughs showed why India are investing in pace-bowling all-round options.
Afghanistan had genuine positives despite the defeat. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s stunning 48-ball hundred briefly threatened to put India under serious pressure, but a middle-order collapse meant they finished nearly 30 runs short of what captain Hashmatullah Shahidi felt was possible.
🏏 Probable Playing XI
India
Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma / Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
Afghanistan
Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Saleem Safi, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi
India Team Analysis
India enter the second ODI with confidence but also with a few selection questions. Rohit Sharma took a blow to the wrist in the first match and was seen in discomfort. If India decide to rest him, Yashasvi Jaiswal could open alongside Shubman Gill, giving the hosts another chance to test their long-term top-order options.
The middle order looks strong with Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul offering different styles of batting. Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy add balance, while Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar have already made the series useful from a depth-building perspective.
Afghanistan Team Analysis
Afghanistan showed in Dharamsala that they have the quality to test India, but their biggest issue remains consistency across the full innings. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s explosive hundred was a reminder of his match-winning ability, yet the lack of support around him left Afghanistan short of a stronger total.
Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah and Azmatullah Omarzai will need to provide better stability in Lucknow. With Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, AM Ghazanfar and Zia Ur Rahman available, Afghanistan have the spin resources to trouble India.
⭐ Players to Watch
Shubman Gill: India’s captain looked calm in the first ODI and will be central to the team’s batting tempo again.
Rohit Sharma / Yashasvi Jaiswal: Rohit’s fitness will be watched closely. If rested, Jaiswal gets a major opportunity at the top.
Ishan Kishan: His return in a new role gives India another left-handed option in the top order.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: After a breathtaking 48-ball hundred in the opener, Afghanistan will once again look to him for early momentum.
Rashid Khan: Lucknow could bring him into the game more, especially if the surface grips through the middle overs.
🏟️ Pitch Report: Ekana Stadium, Lucknow
Ekana Stadium is often viewed as a spin-friendly venue, but ODI numbers suggest fast bowlers have also enjoyed success here. Pace bowlers average just over 30 at the venue, while spinners average 33.64.
The ground has not hosted an ODI since the 2023 World Cup, when the average first-innings score was 238. During that tournament, three of the five matches in Lucknow were won by chasing sides. South Africa’s 311 against Australia and India’s 229 against England were the only successful first-innings defences.
A first-innings score around 260 could be competitive if the surface is slow, but anything below 240 may leave the bowling side under pressure.
📊 Key Stats & Did You Know?
- Afghanistan have played four ODIs in Lucknow.
- Afghanistan lost 0-3 to West Indies at this venue in November 2019.
- Afghanistan defeated Netherlands by seven wickets at Ekana during the 2023 World Cup.
- India have played two ODIs at Ekana Stadium.
- India lost to South Africa by nine runs in 2022 and defeated England by 100 runs during the 2023 World Cup.
- The average first-innings score during the 2023 World Cup matches in Lucknow was 238.
🗣️ What They Said
Sairaj Bahutule on Rohit Sharma: “He’s a champion cricketer. He adds value to this team with his experience, not only batting-wise but his leadership qualities also rub on to all the boys, with Shubman also.”
Bahutule also stressed that Rohit’s presence remains important because of his understanding of match situations and his ability to guide younger players in the dressing room.
📋 Squads
| Team | Squad |
|---|---|
| India | Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Ishan Kishan (w), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prince Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav |
| Afghanistan | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Ikram Alikhil, Darwish Rasooli, Bilal Sami, Nangeyalia Kharoti |
🔮 Match Prediction
India are favourites because of their batting depth, home advantage and the confidence gained from the first ODI. Afghanistan, however, have enough quality to challenge them if Gurbaz fires again and their spinners control the middle overs.
🏆 Prediction: India to win and seal the series.
📈 Win Probability: India 70% | Afghanistan 30%
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