Written by Chetan Pandey, Senior Sports Journalist
India and Afghanistan are set to begin their three-match ODI series at the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on 13 June 2026. The match marks the start of India's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup under the leadership of Shubman Gill, while Afghanistan will look to challenge one of the world's strongest ODI sides with their talented squad.
The series follows India's dominant performance in the recently concluded one-off Test, where the hosts registered a massive victory over Afghanistan. Confidence will be high in the Indian camp, but Afghanistan have repeatedly shown that they can upset top teams in limited-overs cricket.
Venue & Conditions
The first ODI will be played at the scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, a venue known for assisting fast bowlers early in the innings due to bounce and movement. However, weather could play a major role, with forecasts predicting thunderstorms and possible rain interruptions during the match.
India Team News
India will be without batting superstar Virat Kohli, who is sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been drafted into the squad as his replacement.
Players to watch:
Shubman Gill
Rohit Sharma
KL Rahul
Hardik Pandya
Afghanistan Team News
Afghanistan will rely heavily on their experienced core. Their spin attack remains one of the most dangerous in world cricket, while their top-order batters possess the ability to put pressure on any bowling attack.
Players to watch:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Hashmatullah Shahidi
Rashid Khan
Mohammad Nabi
Match Prediction
India enter the contest as clear favourites because of their stronger batting lineup, home conditions, and overall squad depth. Afghanistan's best chance lies in their world-class spin attack and the possibility of weather interruptions creating an unpredictable contest.
Predicted Winner: India
Winning Probability:
India – 75%
Afghanistan – 25%
Final Word
The opening ODI promises exciting cricket as India begin a new chapter in their ODI journey. While Afghanistan have the talent to compete, India appear better balanced and should have enough firepower to start the series with a victory in Dharamshala.
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