India vs Afghanistan Prediction – IND vs AFG 2nd ODI Match Prediction 2026
The much-anticipated India vs Afghanistan prediction for the 2nd ODI of the three-match series strongly favors the hosts as they look to seal the series at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. India produced a dominant performance in the opening ODI, defeating Afghanistan by seven wickets and taking a 1-0 lead. Shubman Gill led from the front with a classy 84-run knock, while debutant Gurnoor Brar and spinner Harsh Dubey impressed with three wickets each.
Afghanistan showed glimpses of brilliance through Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who smashed a breathtaking century, but the lack of support from the rest of the batting lineup ultimately cost them. India have never lost to Afghanistan in international cricket and hold a commanding head-to-head advantage across formats. The conditions in Lucknow are expected to assist spinners and disciplined bowlers, which could further strengthen India’s chances given their quality spin attack featuring Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Harsh Dubey.
Afghanistan will once again depend heavily on Ibrahim Zadran, Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Azmatullah Omarzai to challenge the strong Indian side. The visitors must improve their middle-order performances and avoid collapses if they want to level the series.
India, meanwhile, possess a balanced squad with experienced campaigners and exciting young talents. Considering current form, home advantage, superior squad depth, and historical dominance, the India vs Afghanistan prediction points toward another successful outing for the Men in Blue. However, Afghanistan have proven on numerous occasions that they can compete against top teams and will be eager to keep the series alive with an upset victory in Lucknow.
- India lead the three-match ODI series 1-0 after a convincing seven-wicket win.
- Shubman Gill, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, and Kuldeep Yadav are key players to watch.
- Ekana Stadium traditionally favors bowlers, especially spinners in middle overs.
- India start as favorites with a 75% winning probability compared to Afghanistan’s 25%.
Table of Contents
Match Details
| Match | India vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, 17 June 2026 |
| Time | 1:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| Series | Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 |
| Format | ODI |
| Live Streaming | JioHotstar |
| TV Broadcast | Star Sports Network |
India Preview
India enter the second ODI full of confidence after a comprehensive victory in the opening encounter. The team looked dominant in all departments and showcased the depth that makes them one of the strongest ODI sides in world cricket.
Captain Shubman Gill continued his remarkable form with a fluent 84-run knock. His ability to control the innings and accelerate when needed was a major reason behind India’s comfortable chase. Gill’s consistency across formats has made him one of the most dependable top-order batters in international cricket.
Rohit Sharma’s return added further strength at the top. Although he was dismissed early, his presence creates pressure on opposition bowlers. Ishan Kishan made good use of his opportunity at number three, scoring a quickfire 34 and maintaining the scoring rate.
The middle order looks well-balanced with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Rahul’s finishing role worked perfectly in the first ODI, where he remained unbeaten and guided India home. Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy provide additional flexibility through their all-round abilities.
India’s bowling attack was equally impressive. Debutant Gurnoor Brar generated pace and bounce, picking up three wickets. Harsh Dubey also enjoyed an excellent outing with his left-arm spin, while Arshdeep Singh consistently troubled Afghanistan’s batters with swing and accuracy.
Kuldeep Yadav could play a major role in Lucknow due to the spin-friendly conditions. His variations and wicket-taking ability make him a genuine match-winner. Washington Sundar’s off-spin is also expected to be effective on a slowing surface.
India’s biggest strength remains their depth. They possess quality players across all departments and can recover from difficult situations. With home advantage and momentum firmly on their side, India will be aiming to wrap up the series in this match.
Key Players
- Shubman Gill
- KL Rahul
- Kuldeep Yadav
Afghanistan Preview
Afghanistan face a must-win situation after losing the opening ODI. While the result was disappointing, they will take confidence from Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s sensational century and look to build a stronger team performance in Lucknow.
Gurbaz was outstanding in the first ODI, scoring 102 runs from just 51 deliveries. His aggressive stroke play troubled India’s bowlers and demonstrated his ability to dominate quality attacks. Afghanistan will once again depend on him to provide a solid foundation.
Ibrahim Zadran remains one of the most reliable ODI batters in world cricket outside the Full Member nations. His average above 60 in recent matches highlights his consistency. Together with Sediqullah Atal, he forms a capable opening partnership.
The middle order, however, remains a concern. Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, and Mohammad Nabi need to convert starts into substantial scores. Afghanistan lost momentum after Gurbaz’s dismissal in the first ODI and suffered a major collapse.
Bowling is Afghanistan’s strongest department. Rashid Khan continues to be one of the most dangerous spinners in world cricket and will enjoy bowling on the Lucknow surface. Azmatullah Omarzai contributes as a valuable seam-bowling all-rounder, while Allah Ghazanfar provides additional spin options.
Fazalhaq Farooqi’s absence places extra responsibility on the pace attack. Ziaur Rahman and Mohammad Saleem must provide early breakthroughs if Afghanistan are to challenge India’s strong batting lineup.
The visitors have the talent to compete but need collective contributions rather than individual brilliance. If the batting unit performs together and Rashid Khan strikes regularly, Afghanistan could push India much harder in the second ODI.
Key Players
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rashid Khan
Team Squads
India Squad
Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey.
Afghanistan Squad
Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Darwish Rasooli, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangyal Kharotai, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Malik, Bilal Sami.
Probable Playing XI
| India | Afghanistan |
| Rohit Sharma | Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| Shubman Gill (C) | Ibrahim Zadran |
| Ishan Kishan | Sediqullah Atal |
| Shreyas Iyer | Rahmat Shah |
| KL Rahul (WK) | Hashmatullah Shahidi (C) |
| Nitish Kumar Reddy | Mohammad Nabi |
| Washington Sundar | Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Harsh Dubey | Rashid Khan |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Allah Ghazanfar |
| Arshdeep Singh | Ziaur Rahman |
| Gurnoor Brar | Mohammad Saleem |
India vs Afghanistan Today’s Fantasy Prediction
| Role | Players |
| WK | KL Rahul, Rahmanullah Gurbaz |
| Batters | Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Ibrahim Zadran, Shreyas Iyer |
| All-Rounders | Washington Sundar, Azmatullah Omarzai |
| Bowlers | Kuldeep Yadav, Rashid Khan, Arshdeep Singh |
This fantasy team combines consistent performers from both sides. Shubman Gill is a must-have selection after his outstanding 84-run knock in the first ODI and his exceptional recent form. Rohit Sharma’s experience and ability to score big hundreds make him a strong fantasy choice.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz remains Afghanistan’s most dangerous batter after his explosive century. Ibrahim Zadran’s consistency adds stability to the fantasy lineup.
KL Rahul offers dual points through batting and wicketkeeping responsibilities. Shreyas Iyer can capitalize if India’s top order provides a solid platform.
Among all-rounders, Washington Sundar offers value through both batting and spin bowling, especially on the Lucknow surface. Azmatullah Omarzai contributes in multiple departments and can deliver fantasy points consistently.
Kuldeep Yadav and Rashid Khan are premium wicket-taking options due to favorable spin conditions. Arshdeep Singh’s new-ball threat and death-over role increase his fantasy potential.
Captain Choices
- Shubman Gill
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz
Vice-Captain Choices
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Rashid Khan
Players to Avoid
- Mohammad Saleem
- Darwish Rasooli
Also Check: Get The Best Fantasy Prediction From Cricket Experts
Favourite Team in Today’s Match
India are clear favorites heading into this encounter. They possess greater depth, stronger batting resources, a more balanced bowling attack, and the advantage of playing at home. Their victory in the opening ODI demonstrated how effectively they can dominate matches even when key players are rested or shuffled.
The spin-friendly conditions in Lucknow further favor India because they have multiple quality spin options. Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, and Harsh Dubey are all capable of exploiting the surface. The batting lineup also looks settled with Gill, Rohit, Rahul, and Ishan Kishan in good touch.
Afghanistan remain a dangerous side but appear overly dependent on Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. If those two fail, the middle order has struggled to deliver consistently. India’s overall balance, experience, and familiarity with conditions make them strong favorites to secure another victory and clinch the series.
India ODI History
| Category | Record |
| Matches Played | 1076 |
| Won | 572 |
| Lost | 450 |
| No Result | 44 |
| Tied | 10 |
India have one of the richest ODI histories in world cricket, winning multiple ICC tournaments and producing some of the greatest players the format has ever seen.
Afghanistan ODI History
| Category | Record |
| Matches Played | 182 |
| Won | 89 |
| Lost | 86 |
| No Result | 6 |
| Tied | 1 |
Afghanistan have rapidly grown into a competitive ODI nation, consistently challenging stronger teams and producing world-class spin bowlers.
Head-to-Head Stats
| Stat | India | Afghanistan |
| Matches Played | 5 | 5 |
| Wins | 4 | 0 |
| No Result | 1 | 1 |
India have dominated the ODI rivalry, remaining unbeaten against Afghanistan. The only non-Indian result was a thrilling tie during the 2018 Asia Cup.
Pitch Report
The Ekana Cricket Stadium surface is traditionally known for assisting bowlers. Fast bowlers can extract movement with the new ball, while spinners become increasingly influential as the match progresses. Batters need to spend time at the crease before playing attacking shots. The average first-innings score generally ranges between 240 and 270. Chasing large targets can be challenging because the pitch tends to slow down during the second innings. Teams winning the toss often prefer to bat first and put runs on the board.
Weather Report
Lucknow is expected to experience hot and dry conditions during the match. Temperatures could hover around 34°C to 37°C throughout the afternoon. Humidity levels are likely to remain moderate, while cloud cover is expected to be minimal. There is very little chance of rain interruption. The warm weather may make batting easier during the first innings, while bowlers could benefit from some assistance later in the day.
Broadcast Details
The India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Fans can also stream the match live through JioHotstar on mobile devices, tablets, laptops, and smart televisions across India.
Toss Prediction
Afghanistan are predicted to win the toss. Considering the nature of the Ekana pitch, the toss-winning captain may choose to bat first and attempt to put pressure on the chasing side by posting a competitive total.
Predicted Toss Winner: Afghanistan
Probable Best Batsman & Bowler
Shubman Gill is the leading candidate to emerge as the highest run scorer in the match. His confidence is extremely high after the first ODI, and he has consistently delivered in the 50-over format. Rohit Sharma and Ibrahim Zadran are also strong batting contenders.
Among bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav appears the biggest threat due to the conditions in Lucknow. His ability to take wickets in the middle overs can significantly influence the match. Rashid Khan remains Afghanistan’s best bowling option and will be expected to lead the attack. Arshdeep Singh could also play an important role with the new ball and during the death overs.
India vs Afghanistan Winning Chances?
| Team | Winning Chances | Why They Can Win | Why They May Lose |
| India | 75% | Home advantage, stronger squad depth, superior spin attack, winning momentum | Complacency, batting collapse against spin |
| Afghanistan | 25% | Rashid Khan’s brilliance, Gurbaz and Zadran’s form, unpredictable match-winners | Inconsistent middle order, weaker bowling depth |
Match Prediction
India hold a significant advantage in this contest due to their strong batting lineup, balanced bowling attack, and excellent record against Afghanistan. The hosts adapted perfectly in the first ODI and are likely to benefit from Lucknow’s spin-friendly conditions. Afghanistan have the talent to compete but require greater support for Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. Considering current form and overall squad strength, India remain favorites.
Match Prediction: Winner: India Will Win
Also, once the toss takes place, we might modify the Today Match Prediction as per the playing XIs. Please check this blog after the toss for the updated Prediction.
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