India are set to face Afghanistan in a high-stakes Match 1 of the three-match ODI series on June 13, 2026. After a highly dominant performance in the recently concluded one-off Test match at Mullanpur—where the hosts registered an outstanding victory by an innings and 300 runs—India enters the limited-overs leg with immense confidence.
Under the tactical guidance of their leadership group and the captaincy of Shubman Gill, the hosts are looking to turn the breathtaking Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala into a fortress. Meanwhile, Afghanistan team, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, arrived in the hills hoping for a fresh start after a tough Test outing.
Afghanistan has shown incredible grit in shorter formats historically and will be determined to make their presence felt in this budding subcontinental rivalry. With strong spin attacks and powerful batting line-ups on both sides, the match promises an exciting battle at one of India’s most scenic cricket venues.
Match Details & Live Streaming
- Venue: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala, India
- Date & Time: Saturday, June 13, 2026, 01:30 PM (IST)
- Live Broadcasting & Streaming: Sports18 Network Channels, JioCinema App & Website
IND vs AFG: Head-to-Head Record
- Matches Played: 4
- Won by India: 3
- Won by Afghanistan: 0
- Tied/No Result: 1
Pitch Report
The pitch at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala is traditionally known as one of the better balanced surfaces in India, offering a true contest between bat and ball. The high altitude and cool atmosphere regularly assist pace bowlers, providing notable swing and seam movement under cloudy skies during the initial phase of play.
As the game progresses, the surface tends to settle down nicely, allowing top-order batsmen to score freely due to the true bounce and lightning-fast outfield. Spinners generally come into operation during the middle overs, although the relatively short boundary dimensions make precise execution of lengths highly imperative.
The average first-innings score at this venue ranges between 240–260. Given the afternoon start, the team winning the toss is highly likely to opt for bowling first to exploit the early moisture and avoid chasing under potentially dewy evening conditions.
Team Analysis
India:
India fields an exceptionally balanced squad for this limited-overs series. Their batting department is headlined by the veteran presence of regular captain Rohit Sharma along with the clinical opening stability of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. The middle order looks robust with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul providing the central anchor, while Hardik Pandya offers explosive finishing depth in the death overs.
On the bowling front, Arshdeep Singh leads the pace unit with his reliable left-arm variations. The primary strength of the host bowling department lies in its high-quality spin tandem, spearheaded by the left-arm wrist-spin of Kuldeep Yadav and the all-round precision of Washington Sundar. Bowling depth remains India’s greatest asset on home soil.
Afghanistan:
Afghanistan looks like a dangerous and motivated unit in white-ball cricket under captain Hashmatullah Shahidi. Their top-order batting relies heavily on the explosive opening capabilities of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who are fully capable of setting up strong foundations. Rahmat Shah provides anchor stability in the middle order, while veteran Mohammad Nabi adds immense experience.
Their bowling attack remains their greatest tactical weapon, led by the wizardry of premier leg-spinner Rashid Khan and the steady emergence of young left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote. Backed by the reliable medium-pace variations of Azmatullah Omarzai, Afghanistan’s primary objective will be to apply pressure in the middle overs to contain India’s aggressive batting line-up.
Match Prediction
While Afghanistan possesses high-quality match-winners capable of exploiting spin-friendly phases, India holds a distinct advantage playing in home conditions. The hosts feature a more settled pace attack capable of exploiting any early assistance in the Dharamshala surface, complemented by a deep and formidable batting order.
If the Afghan new-ball bowlers fail to find early breakthroughs against the Indian openers, the visitors might find it tough to restrict India’s heavy scoring potential. Historical data, squad depth, and recent home momentum indicate a strong upper hand for the home side.
Prediction: India likely to win
IND vs AFG: Predicted Playing XI
India (IND):
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna.
Afghanistan (AFG):
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharote, Fareed Ahmad, Mohammad Saleem.
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