India and Afghanistan are set to begin their three-match ODI series with the opening encounter at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Saturday, June 13. After India secured victory in the one-off Test, both teams now switch their attention to the 50-over format in what promises to be an exciting contest.
India will be looking to improve their recent ODI performances after a mixed run of results. With preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup already underway, this series offers the Men in Blue an opportunity to test combinations and build momentum. The absence of a few senior pace bowlers means younger players will have a chance to impress.
Afghanistan arrive with plenty of confidence after enjoying strong form in ODI cricket. Their batting unit has shown consistency, while their spin attack remains one of the most dangerous in world cricket. The visitors will believe they can challenge India if they execute their plans effectively.
Match Details
| Match | India vs Afghanistan, 1st ODI |
|---|---|
| Series | Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 |
| Date | June 13, 2026 |
| Time | 1:30 PM IST |
| Venue | HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar & Star Sports Network |
IND vs AFG Recent Form
| Team | Last 5 Matches |
|---|---|
| India | L, L, W, W, L |
| Afghanistan | W, W, W, W, L |
Afghanistan have enjoyed better recent ODI results, while India will be eager to return to winning ways in front of their home crowd.
IND vs AFG Head-to-Head Record
| Matches Played | India Won | Afghanistan Won | Tie |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
India remain unbeaten against Afghanistan in ODI cricket, although Afghanistan have pushed them close on multiple occasions.
HPCA Stadium Dharamsala Pitch Report
The Dharamsala surface is traditionally one of the best batting wickets in India. The ball comes nicely onto the bat, allowing stroke-makers to play their shots freely. Fast bowlers can also find assistance due to the extra bounce and movement available in the early overs.
As the match progresses, batting generally becomes easier, making high-scoring contests common at this venue. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bat first and put scoreboard pressure on the opposition.
A first-innings score of around 320-340 could be highly competitive.
Venue Statistics
| Stat | Record |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 10 |
| Win Batting First | 50% |
| Win Chasing | 40% |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 249 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 225 |
| Highest Total | 388 |
| Highest Successful Chase | 274 |
| Lowest Defended Total | 245 |
Weather Report
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 19.5°C |
| Weather | Thunderstorms Expected |
| Humidity | 58% |
| Rain Probability | 84% |
Rain could play a major role in the match, with thunderstorms forecast throughout the day. Teams may need to prepare for interruptions and possible DLS calculations.
Pace vs Spin Analysis
| Bowling Type | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Pace | 93 |
| Spin | 48 |
Fast bowlers have dominated at Dharamsala, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the wickets in recent ODI matches at the venue.
IND vs AFG 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 | Mohammed Saleem |
| Arshdeep Singh | AM Ghazanfar |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Ziaur Rahman |
Key Players to Watch
India
Rohit Sharma: The experienced opener returns with an important role at the top of the order. His ability to dominate powerplays can set the tone for India.
Shubman Gill: Leading the side, Gill will look to anchor the innings and guide a relatively young batting group.
Kuldeep Yadav: The left-arm wrist-spinner could be crucial against Afghanistan’s middle order.
Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz: One of Afghanistan’s most dangerous batters, capable of taking the game away during the powerplay.
Rashid Khan: The world-class leg-spinner remains Afghanistan’s biggest match-winner in white-ball cricket.
Azmatullah Omarzai: His all-round ability adds balance and depth to the Afghan side.
Probable Best Batter
Rohit Sharma
The Indian opener’s experience and aggressive style make him one of the biggest threats in this contest. On a batting-friendly Dharamsala pitch, Rohit could play a defining innings if he settles early.
Probable Best Bowler
Rashid Khan
Rashid’s ability to take wickets in the middle overs makes him Afghanistan’s biggest weapon. Even on a batting-friendly wicket, his variations can trouble the strongest batting lineups.
Match Prediction
India will start the match as favourites due to home conditions, superior batting depth, and an excellent record against Afghanistan in ODI cricket. The conditions at Dharamsala should suit India’s aggressive batting approach, especially with experienced players like Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul in the lineup.
However, Afghanistan cannot be underestimated. Their spin attack led by Rashid Khan, combined with quality all-rounders like Mohammad Nabi and Azmatullah Omarzai, gives them the ability to compete throughout the match.
Weather could be an important factor, and if rain shortens the game, Afghanistan’s chances may improve significantly. In a full-length contest, India’s batting strength and familiarity with conditions provide a clear advantage.
Winning Probability
| Team | Chance |
|---|---|
| India | 65% |
| Afghanistan | 35% |
Predicted Score
| Team | Expected Score |
|---|---|
| India | 330-360 |
| Afghanistan | 280-320 |
Best Betting Picks
| Market | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Match Winner | India |
| Top India Batter | Rohit Sharma |
| Top Afghanistan Batter | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| Top India Bowler | Kuldeep Yadav |
| Top Afghanistan Bowler | Rashid Khan |
Final Verdict
Afghanistan have made significant progress in ODI cricket and possess enough quality to challenge top teams. However, India’s batting firepower, home advantage, and strong head-to-head record make them the stronger side heading into the series opener.
If India handle Afghanistan’s spin threat effectively, they should have enough quality to begin the ODI series with a victory.
Prediction: India to win the 1st ODI.
