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India vs Afghanistan, IND vs AFG 2026, Today Match Prediction
IND vs AFG Win Probability
Toss Winner - India won the toss and choose to bowl first
India beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets (D/L) method
Afghanistan have never beaten India in ODIs, losing three matches and tying one. Will they earn their maiden win this time?
- Afghanistan's Azmatullah Omarzai will look to exploit a transitionary Indian middle-order, entering the series with an exceptional record of 24 wickets in his last ten games.
- The last time these two teams met in the 2023 World Cup, India registered a comprehensive eight-wicket victory, chasing down 273 with 90 balls to spare.
- Shubman Gill has played three ODIs in 2026, with two 50+ scores.
India are favorites to win this ODI.
| Tournament: | Afghanistan tour of India 2026 |
| Format: | odi |
| Venue: | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala, India |
| Toss Prediction: | To Bowl |
| Weather: | 21.9°C|Sunny |
IND vs AFG Match Prediction & Analysis
The focus for India shifts to the white ball after a dominant performance in the one-off Test in Mullanpur. Captain Shubman Gill will be eager to begin with a series win, starting in the picturesque hills of Dharamsala. The Indian camp, however, is far from settled. The absence of their two biggest batting stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, and their premier all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, due to injuries leaves gaping holes in the lineup. This provides a massive opportunity for the fringe players and the younger brigade to stake a claim for a permanent spot in the side.
Afghanistan will arrive at the HPCA Stadium with their spirits high. While their recent ODI results have been inconsistent, their bowling attack has the potential to dismantle any batting order on their day. The prospect of Rashid Khan bowling on a surface that offers him bounce and turn is a daunting one for any batter. For captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, the strategy will be clear: put runs on the board and unleash their spinners to defend it. This contest is a classic battle between a depleted but powerhouse Indian batting unit and a world-class Afghan spin attack.
RECENT PERFORMANCE
IND
L
L
W
W
L
IND
AFG
W
W
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L
AFG
190/10 in 44.5 4.24
AFG vs BAN 2025
Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 81 runs109/10 in 28.3 3.82
226/5 in 47.1 4.79
AFG vs BAN 2025
Afghanistan beat Bangladesh by 5 wickets221/10 in 48.5 4.53
HEAD TO HEAD
Last 0 Matches
TEAMS PREVIEW
India Preview
The Indian team enters this opening fixture facing a severe test of their squad depth following a string of major fitness blows. The team was dealt a blow on the eve of the series as premium all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out of the entire assignment after picking up a low-grade leg sprain during match simulations at the Centre of Excellence. With Virat Kohli already sidelined by a hamstring injury and veteran opener Rohit Sharma's availability under extreme clouds, the tactical burden falls entirely on young skipper Shubman Gill. If Rohit is ruled out, Ishan Kishan is the most likely candidate to open the batting alongside captain Gill.
The middle order will be rebuilt around vice-captain Shreyas Iyer at number four, with KL Rahul taking the gloves and providing solidity at number five. The talented Yashasvi Jaiswal has been drafted into the squad as Virat Kohli`s replacement and could be slotted directly into the opening position, a move that has the backing of many experts who see him as a long-term successor. With Hardik Pandya ruled out, the all-rounder duties fall to Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy, who will be expected to contribute crucial runs at the death.
The bowling department will heavily rely on the lethal left-arm angles of Arshdeep Singh, who has taken 11 wickets in his last six games, alongside the raw pace of Prasidh Krishna. Wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is the ultimate defensive trump card in the middle overs, carrying 15 wickets in his last eight games at an economy of 6.12.
All-rounders Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy will need to step up rapidly to replace Pandya's critical multi-dimensional output.
Key Players: Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav
IND Over/Under Betting Tips
Shreyas Iyer Total Runs Over 33.5 @ 1.85
Iyer is coming on the back of a great IPL season with 498 runs. His career stats are also excellent, with nearly 3,000 runs and a high average of 46.52. He is great at playing spin bowling, making these conditions perfect for him. Expect him to play a solid innings and easily score over 33.5 runs today.
India Predicted Playing XI:
Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna/ Prince Yadav
India Actual Playing XI:
Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Shreyas Iyer
Afghanistan Preview
Hashmatullah Shahidi will marshal his troops with a clear plan: suffocate the Indian batters with world-class spin. The biggest name on the team sheet is, of course, Rashid Khan. The leg-spinner's record in ODI cricket is phenomenal, with over 210 wickets at an economy of just 4.20. He will be Afghanistan`s primary match-winner on what is expected to be a good batting track. Mohammad Nabi, the veteran all-rounder, will partner him in the middle overs with his accurate off-spin and useful lower-order hitting. The squad has also named promising young bowlers like AM Ghazanfar and Nangeyalia Kharote, who could be unleashed to add further variety.
Their batting lineup is a mix of explosive openers and steady anchors. Elegant opening batter Ibrahim Zadran has been in scorching form across the international circuit, accumulating 429 runs over his last six matches at a brilliant average of 71.50. He forms a highly explosive new-ball partnership with the dangerous Rahmanullah Gurbaz, while young Sediqullah Atal adds immense security with 317 runs in the last 10 matches at an average of 35.22.
The pace attack is less potent but still disciplined. Fazalhaq Farooqi will lead the seam department, looking for early swing with the new ball. Seam-bowling all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai has been an absolute revelation, snaring 24 wickets in his last ten games at an amazing economy of 4.85. Their inability to take early wickets has been a recurring problem, and the success of their spinners often depends on the new ball bowlers creating some pressure.
Key Players: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rashid Khan, Ibrahim Zadran
Afghanistan Predicted Playing XI:
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Bilal Sami, AM Ghazanfar
Afghanistan Actual Playing XI:
Hashmatullah Shahidi, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Allah Ghazanfar, Zia ur Rehman Sharifi, Mohammad Saleem Safi
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
Weather Conditions
The weather in Dharamsala is expected to be clear and sunny for the duration of the match. The forecast predicts a high of around 28 degrees Celsius with no chance of rain. The picturesque backdrop of the Himalayas will provide a perfect setting for a full 50-over contest.
IND vs AFG Pitch Report
Pitch Condition
Batting Conditions
Pace Bowling
Spin Bowling
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala has traditionally been one of India's more balanced ODI venues, but the most recent matches suggest batting conditions can become extremely rewarding once teams get through the new-ball phase. The average first-innings score across the last five ODIs is 285, with teams posting totals of 388, 273, 245, 364, and 156. While that average is inflated by a couple of massive World Cup scores, it still highlights the venue's ability to produce high-scoring contests when conditions are favourable.
The pitch generally offers assistance to seamers early on because of the altitude and movement through the air, but batting becomes significantly easier once the ball softens. The Australia-New Zealand World Cup clash perfectly showcased the venue's scoring potential, with the two sides combining for 771 runs in a match where neither bowling attack could contain the batters.
Chasing teams have enjoyed a slight advantage historically, winning five of the nine ODIs played here compared to four victories for teams batting first. India's successful chase of 274 against New Zealand during the 2023 World Cup further reinforced that trend. A score around 280-300 should be considered competitive, although anything below 250 could leave the batting-first side vulnerable on this ground.
Total Over/Under Betting Tips
India to win the coin toss @ 1.90
We back India to win the coin toss in today's match against Afghanistan.
Toss: To Bowl
The toss will play a central role given the unique geographic and microclimatic factors in play at Dharamsala. Across the nine historical ODIs played at this venue, teams chasing have secured five victories compared to four for the side setting a target. However, with the afternoon start time, the new ball frequently shapes wildly under the cover of early clouds, while heavy evening dew can make gripping the ball a nightmare for spinners later on. Expect the captain winning the coin flip to bowl first without hesitation.
IND vs AFG
Winning Prediction
India’s campaign has been hit by a triple blow with the absence of Kohli, a potentially unfit Rohit, and an injured Pandya. This leaves their batting lineup looking thin and their middle order exposed. The onus will be on Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul to anchor the innings against a world-class Afghan spin attack. The absence of a reliable sixth bowling option will also force captain Gill to manage his resources carefully.
For Afghanistan, this is a golden opportunity. Their strategy is simple and well-rehearsed: post a competitive total, or restrict India early, and then let Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and the other spinners weave their magic. The Dharamsala pitch will offer them the bounce they crave. If they can get rid of Gill and Iyer cheaply, the inexperienced Indian lower order could crumble under pressure.
That said, given the tremendous depth of their spin-bowling variations and home pitch familiarity, India is tipped to navigate past a spirited Afghan challenge to secure a hard-fought opening victory.
India are favorites to win this ODI.
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