It is unclear if Kuldeep Yadav and Yashasvi Jaiswal would be included in the starting XI for the second ODI against Afghanistan in Lucknow on Wednesday, as the Indian team management is eager to try out several lineups before the ODI World Cup next year.
After a convincing victory in the rain-shortened first game, the hosts now lead the three-match series 1-0 and would be eyeing an unassailable lead with a win on Wednesday. However, India is more concerned with long-term outcomes.
The team management has stated that the present series offers a chance to test alternative combinations and evaluate individuals in diverse positions, with two dozen ODI matches scheduled prior to the World Cup.
In recent months, Kuldeep’s spot in the team has been questioned. During the home series against South Africa and New Zealand, the left-arm wrist spinner made frequent appearances, but his form has subsequently declined.
After a lackluster IPL season, he had a poor performance in the one-off Test, where he had trouble finding rhythm. Additionally, he was left out of India’s most recent T20I selections for the Asian Games and the visits to England and Ireland.
However, ODIs continue to be the 31-year-old’s best format, and the club management may think about signing him. India’s task is made much easier by Kuldeep’s middle-overs wickets.
Spin all-rounder Washington Sundar is a given since head coach Gautam Gambhir values multifaceted players more for their ability to contribute with the bat than for their bowling. This implies that Kuldeep might replace Harsh Dubey, who used his finger spin to take three wickets in his opening match.
India’s bowling squad appeared disciplined in the first game, and the hosts’ hold on the series will be further strengthened with another impressive showing. While another youngster Prince Yadav waits for his chance, another newcomer, Gurnoor Brar, made an impression on pace and is probably going to be handed another game.
Another player who is anxiously awaiting an opportunity is Jaiswal. Ishan Kishan was favored in the first game, but Jaiswal, a left-hander, has done enough in the last few months to challenge for a spot in the No. 3 spot, which is still up for grabs owing to Virat Kohli’s absence from the series due to a hamstring injury.
Gill would be happy with how the team handled pressure in a match that was cut short due to rain, while veteran Rohit Sharma, who was run out cheaply in the first game, would try to make a greater impression.
Afghanistan, on the other hand, will require a more coordinated batting effort. The visitors’ best performance in the first ODI came from opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s aggressive century, but Afghanistan failed to put up a challenging total, and Gurbaz got little help from the opposition.
Afghanistan’s greatest asset is spin, but in Dharamsala, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, and Mohammad Nabi were unable to cause enough difficulty for the Indian batters. They should do better on the Lucknow surface.
India vs Afghanistan Head-to-Head:
In its five ODI encounters with Afghanistan, India has won four of them, with one ending in a tie. Afghanistan has never defeated India in the ODI format.
India vs Afghanistan Pitch Report:
The pitch at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow is typically a balanced surface that helps both batsmen and spinners. Early on, the track gives fast bowlers considerable pace and bounce, but in the middle and later overs, spinners become very successful.
India vs Afghanistan Weather Report:
The weather is predicted to stay hot and muggy during the second ODI at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, with daytime highs of 35°C to 38°C. Although there is a small risk of thunderstorms or evening showers, a total washout is unlikely, and the humidity will be around 45%.
India vs Afghanistan Probable XIs:
India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Saleem, AM Ghazanfar, Ziaur Rahman
FAQs:
When is the 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan scheduled?
The 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan is scheduled on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
What time does the 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan scheduled to start?
The 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan will start at 1:30 PM IST.
Where is the 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan scheduled to take place?
The 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan is scheduled to be played at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
Which TV channel will broadcast the 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan?
The 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan will be broadcast on Star Sports Network.
Where can one catch the live streaming of the 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan?
The live streaming of the 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan will be available on JioHotstar.
