India vs Afghanistan Today's Match Prediction, 2nd ODI - Who will win today’s match?
IND vs AFG Match Prediction, 2nd ODI (Source: BCCI)
Published - 17 Jun 2026, 09:00 AM• Read time - 12 mins
After a rain‑curtailed opener in Dharamshala, India (IND) and Afghanistan (AFG) now brace for hot and slightly humid conditions in Lucknow, the venue for the second ODI.
India head into the contest just one win away from sealing the series. Their batting looked assured in the first game, but the bowling remains a concern. Harsh Dubey, the slow left‑arm orthodox, picked up three wickets but conceded runs at an economy rate of 9.40. Washington Sundar, earmarked as a potential successor to Ravindra Jadeja, endured a forgettable outing, leaking 19 runs in the only over he bowled.
With Jasprit Bumrah unavailable, India’s attack will once again be tested as they search for the right balance. Nitish Kumar Reddy impressed in his four‑over spell, claiming two wickets, and will be expected to shoulder more responsibility in the absence of Hardik Pandya, who is sidelined due to fitness issues.
Afghanistan, meanwhile, will look to exploit conditions at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, where the surface tends to grip and hold the ball more than Dharamshala. That could give their bowlers an edge as they aim to level the series.
IND vs AFG Match Info
| Date | Fixture | Match No | Venue | Start time (Local time) |
| Wednesday, June 17 | India vs Afghanistan | 2nd ODI | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow | 1:30 PM |
Venue Statistics (ODI)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 9 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 4 |
| Matches Won Bowling First | 5 |
| No Result | - |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 237 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 206 |
| Highest Total Recorded | 311/7 (50) by South Africa vs Australia in 2023 |
| Lowest Total Recorded | 129/10 (34.5) by England vs India 2023 |
| Highest Score Chased | 263 [263/5 in 48.2 overs] by Sri Lanka vs Netherlands 2023 |
| Lowest Score Defended | 229 by India vs England in 2023 |
Ekana Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Playing Conditions:
| Aspect | Batters | Pacers | Spinners |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Assistance | Good | Decent | Good |
| Bounce | Decent | Decent | Moderate |
| Movement/turn | Good | Minimal after powerplay | Good |
| Best Phase | Middle overs | With the new ball | Middle Overs |
IND vs AFG Head-to-Head record (ODIs)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 5 |
| India | 4 |
| Afghanistan | 0 |
| Tied | 1 |
India vs Afghanistan Playing XI Prediction
India
Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar
Afghanistan
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, AM Ghazanfar, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi
Players to watch out for:
Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma was looking in prime touch in the first ODI, having hit two boundaries and a six already before he was run out as a result of a complete misunderstanding with skipper Shubman Gill. Rohit has changed his game in 50-over cricket and looks more assured than ever before. He is expected to get a good score this time around.
Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer too fell quite early in the first ODI. Therefore, he also has a reason to make amends in Lucknow. The right-hander is considered one of the best players of spin in India's batting line-up and the match-up between him and the Afghan spinners is expected to be mouthwatering.
Today's Match Prediction: India to win
Disclaimer: This prediction is based on current form, team balance, and available match data. Cricket remains unpredictable, and actual results may vary.
