India and Afghanistan begin their three-match ODI series at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Saturday, June 13, following India’s victory in the one-off Test. The opening ODI presents an important opportunity for both sides to assess their preparations as they continue building toward the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Match details
Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala
Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 1:30 PM IST, 1:00 PM PST, 8:00 AM GMT
Team Overviews
India
India enter the ODI series looking to improve a disappointing recent record in the format, having managed only one victory in their last five completed ODIs. With the 2027 World Cup cycle underway, this series provides an opportunity for the hosts to test combinations and strengthen squad depth.
Shubman Gill will captain the side in the absence of several senior players, while Rohit Sharma returns after recovering from a hamstring injury. The batting unit features considerable experience through Rohit, KL Rahul, and Shreyas Iyer, while Ishan Kishan adds aggression at the top of the order.
India’s pace attack appears relatively inexperienced, with Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah rested. Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Prince Yadav will therefore shoulder greater responsibility with the new ball. Kuldeep Yadav remains the team’s primary spin threat and could play a key role in the middle overs.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan arrive in Dharamsala with strong momentum, having remained unbeaten in their last five ODI matches. Although those results came in different conditions, the visitors have established themselves as a competitive white-ball side capable of challenging major teams.
Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi leads a balanced squad featuring several experienced performers. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provide a solid opening combination, while Rahmat Shah and Mohammad Nabi add stability and experience through the middle order.
The return of Rashid Khan significantly boosts Afghanistan’s chances. The world-class leg-spinner has consistently performed in Indian conditions and will be Afghanistan’s biggest weapon against a strong Indian batting lineup.
Afghanistan also view this series as an opportunity to gain valuable experience in Indian conditions, particularly with India expected to serve as a major venue for several future assignments.
Probable Playing XIs
India
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav
Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Saleem, AM Ghazanfar, Ziaur Rahman
Key Players
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma returns from injury at an important stage of India’s ODI preparations. His experience and ability to dominate powerplay bowling could provide India with the ideal platform at the top of the order.
Rashid Khan
Rashid Khan remains Afghanistan’s most dangerous match-winner in white-ball cricket. His variations, control, and ability to break partnerships make him a major threat regardless of conditions.
Shubman Gill
Leading the side, Gill will be expected to anchor India’s innings and guide a relatively inexperienced squad through key moments in the series.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Gurbaz possesses the ability to take the game away from opponents during the powerplay. If he settles early, Afghanistan can put significant pressure on India’s bowling attack.
Head-to-Head ODI Record
India have dominated the ODI rivalry between the two teams.
India vs Afghanistan ODI Head-to-Head Record
Matches Played: 4
Won by India: 3
Won by Afghanistan: 0
No Result/Tied: 1
The most recent ODI meeting came during the 2023 ODI World Cup, where India secured victory.
Pitch Report
The HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala traditionally offers one of the best batting surfaces in India. The pitch generally provides excellent pace and bounce, allowing batters to play their shots confidently throughout the innings.
The venue’s fast outfield and relatively short boundaries often contribute to high-scoring contests. Fast bowlers can still remain influential because of the extra bounce available from the surface, particularly with the new ball.
Teams winning the toss are likely to prefer batting first and taking advantage of the best batting conditions. Scores in excess of 350 are often considered competitive at this venue.
Probable Match Scenarios
Scenario 1
India win the toss and bat first
Powerplay Score: 70-90
First Innings Total: 370-390
India’s experienced top order could capitalize on favorable batting conditions and post a substantial total.
Scenario 2
Afghanistan win the toss and bat first
Powerplay Score: 60-80
First Innings Total: 310-330
Afghanistan may rely on Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran to provide a strong start before their middle order builds a competitive score.
Live Streaming and Broadcast
India: JioStar Network channels and JioHotstar app and website.
Pakistan: Coverage available through official regional sports broadcasters and streaming platforms.
Afghanistan: Live coverage through official regional cricket broadcasters.
United Kingdom: Available through designated cricket broadcasting partners.
Australia: Coverage through official sports television and streaming partners.
Global Viewers: Live coverage available through regional broadcasting rights holders and streaming services.
Match Prediction
India enter the opening ODI as favorites because of their stronger batting lineup, home advantage, and superior head-to-head record. The return of Rohit Sharma strengthens the top order considerably, while Shubman Gill and KL Rahul provide additional stability.
Afghanistan, however, should not be underestimated. Their unbeaten run in recent ODIs demonstrates their growing confidence, and the presence of Rashid Khan gives them a genuine match-winning option capable of changing the course of the game.
The batting-friendly conditions in Dharamsala are likely to suit India’s deeper batting lineup. While Afghanistan possess enough talent to remain competitive, India’s superior resources and familiarity with the conditions give them the edge.
If India’s top order performs to its potential, the hosts should have enough quality to start the series with a victory. India enter the match as deserved favorites, although Afghanistan have the capability to produce an upset if Rashid Khan and their batting unit deliver standout performances.
