India and Afghanistan will meet in the second ODI of the three-match series on June 17 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. After a dominant victory in the opening match, India will look to seal the series, while Afghanistan will be aiming to bounce back and keep the contest alive.
The visitors struggled in the first ODI as India comfortably chased down a target of 195 with seven wickets in hand. Afghanistan showed flashes of promise with the ball but could not maintain pressure against a strong Indian batting lineup. Heading into Lucknow, they will need a much stronger performance with both bat and ball.
India, meanwhile, will be pleased with the way their bowlers controlled the opening game before the batters completed the chase without much trouble. Another victory would secure the series and provide further momentum ahead of future ODI assignments.
Match Details
| Match | India vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI |
|---|---|
| Series | Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 |
| Date | June 17, 2026 |
| Time | 1:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports Network, DD Sports |
IND vs AFG Recent Form
| Team | Last 5 Matches |
|---|---|
| India | W, L, L, W, W |
| Afghanistan | L, W, W, W, W |
India regained momentum with their convincing win in the first ODI, while Afghanistan’s winning streak came to an end in the series opener.
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 5 |
| India Won | 4 |
| Afghanistan Won | 0 |
| Tied | 1 |
India continue to dominate this rivalry and remain unbeaten against Afghanistan in ODI cricket.
Team Comparison
| Stat | India | Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 10 | 10 |
| Win Percentage | 50% | 70% |
| Average Score | 269 | 228 |
| Highest Score | 358 | 325 |
| Lowest Score | 136 | 131 |
India hold a clear advantage in batting depth, while Afghanistan’s strength continues to revolve around their spin attack and experienced middle order.
Weather Report
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 35.4°C |
| Weather | Clear |
| Humidity | 34% |
| Rain Chances | 1% |
The weather forecast looks excellent for a full match, with no significant rain threat expected during the game.
Ekana Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The Lucknow surface has traditionally offered assistance to bowlers, particularly spinners and slower bowlers during the middle overs. Batters often need time to settle before playing attacking shots, making partnerships crucial.
While stroke-making becomes easier once set, the pitch generally does not produce extremely high-scoring contests. Teams chasing have enjoyed greater success at this venue, winning 67% of ODI matches played here.
A first-innings total around 250-270 could prove highly competitive.
Venue Statistics
| Record | Stats |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 9 |
| Wins Batting First | 33% |
| Wins Bowling First | 67% |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 236 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 206 |
| Highest Total | 311/7 |
| Highest Successful Chase | 263/5 |
| Lowest Defended | 247/9 |
Pace vs Spin Record
| Bowling Type | Wickets | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Pace | 72 | 59% |
| Spin | 51 | 41% |
Although pacers have taken more wickets overall, spinners often play a key role as the match progresses on this surface.
Predicted Playing XI
| India | Afghanistan |
|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) |
| Shubman Gill (c) | Ibrahim Zadran |
| Ishan Kishan | Sediqullah Atal |
| Shreyas Iyer | Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) |
| KL Rahul (wk) | Rahmat Shah |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Harsh Dubey | Mohammad Nabi |
| Prasidh Krishna | Rashid Khan |
| Prince Yadav | Mohammad Saleem |
| Arshdeep Singh | AM Ghazanfar |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Ziaur Rahman |
Key Players to Watch
Rohit Sharma
The experienced opener remains India’s biggest match-winner at the top of the order. His ability to dominate pace and spin makes him a major threat in Lucknow.
Shubman Gill
Leading the side, Gill will be eager to continue his strong ODI form and guide India to a series-clinching victory.
Rashid Khan
Afghanistan’s star spinner remains their most dangerous weapon. If the pitch offers turn, Rashid could create problems for India’s middle order.
Azmatullah Omarzai
The all-rounder provides balance to Afghanistan and will be expected to contribute with both bat and ball.
Probable Best Batter
Rohit Sharma
Rohit looked sharp coming into the series and his experience in Indian conditions could prove decisive. If he gets through the early overs, a big score could be on the cards.
Probable Best Bowler
Rashid Khan
Rashid’s variations and control make him a constant wicket-taking threat. On a surface expected to assist spin, he could once again be Afghanistan’s biggest weapon.
Match Prediction
India enter this match with confidence after their comfortable victory in the series opener. Their bowling attack looked disciplined, while the batting lineup chased the target with ease.
Afghanistan have the talent to compete, particularly with their spin department, but they need stronger contributions from the top order. The Lucknow surface may help their bowlers, but India’s batting depth and home advantage still give them the upper hand.
Unless Afghanistan produce a much-improved batting performance, India look well placed to secure another victory and wrap up the series.
Winning Probability
| Team | Chance |
|---|---|
| India | 70% |
| Afghanistan | 30% |
Predicted Score
| Scenario | Score |
|---|---|
| India Bat First | 260-280 |
| Afghanistan Bat First | 220-240 |
Fantasy Cricket Picks
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Captain Choice | Rohit Sharma |
| Vice-Captain Choice | Rashid Khan |
| Top Batter | Shubman Gill |
| Top Bowler | Kuldeep Yadav |
| Differential Pick | Azmatullah Omarzai |
Final Verdict
Afghanistan are capable of making the contest competitive, especially on a spin-friendly Lucknow surface, but India remain the stronger team on paper. With home conditions, superior batting depth, and momentum from the first ODI, the hosts start as clear favourites.
Prediction: India to win the 2nd ODI and seal the series.








