Following a rain-shortened but highly explosive series opener in Dharamshala, the cricketing spotlight shifts to the historic city of Lucknow. With India leading the 3-match series 1-0, the India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI 2026 at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium promises high-octane drama. While the hosts will be aiming to seal the bilateral trophy with a game to spare, the resilient Afghan team under Hashmatullah Shahidi will look to fix their bowling leaks and level the playing field.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of this crucial second encounter on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
Match Details & Schedule
- Match: India vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI
- Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
- Time: 01:30 PM IST / 08:00 AM GMT
- Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
The Story So Far: 1st ODI Recap
The 1st ODI in Dharamshala was truncated to a 25-overs-a-side shootout due to persistent rain. Despite the constraints, fans were treated to pure entertainment. Afghanistan’s explosive opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz stole the initial headlines, smashing a spectacular 102 off just 51 balls, peppered with 8 massive sixes. However, a brilliant comeback by India’s debutants pacer Gurnoor Brar (3/27) and spinner Harsh Dubey (3/47) restricted the visitors to 194.
In reply, India chased down the target comfortably with 7 wickets in hand, anchored by captain Shubman Gill’s masterclass unbeaten 84 off 66 balls.
Ekana Stadium Lucknow: Pitch Report & Weather Conditions
Pitch Behavior
Historically, the pitch at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow has leaned toward the slower side, favoring spin bowlers and cutters. However, modern renewals have brought more balance, offering good carry early in the innings for pacers.
- Spin Factor: Expect veteran Mohammad Nabi and maestro Rashid Khan to find grip and turn here, unlike the flat deck they encountered in the first game.
- Toss Strategy: Winning the toss and electing to bowl first remains the optimal strategy due to potential evening dew, which makes gripping the ball harder for spinners in the second innings.
Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for Lucknow on June 17 indicates clear skies with typical summer heat. Unlike Dharamshala, a full 50-over match is highly expected without any rain interruptions.
Probable Playing XIs
Team India
With a clinical victory in the bag, India is unlikely to fiddle too much with their combination. However, they might look into the expensive opening over stats of Washington Sundar.
- Rohit Sharma
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Ishan Kishan (wk)
- Shreyas Iyer
- KL Rahul
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Washington Sundar / Kuldeep Yadav
- Harsh Dubey
- Arshdeep Singh
- Prasidh Krishna
- Gurnoor Brar
Team Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s batting clicked remarkably well at the top, but they need their middle order to provide more stability if Gurbaz falls early.
- Ibrahim Zadran
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk)
- Sediqullah Atal
- Rahmat Shah
- Hashmatullah Shahidi (c)
- Mohammad Nabi
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Rashid Khan
- Ziaur Rahman
- Allah Ghazanfar
- Mohammad Saleem
Key Player Battles to Watch Out For
1. Shubman Gill vs Rashid Khan
Gill is in red-hot form, having been named Player of the Match in the first ODI. Watching how he navigates Rashid Khan’s middle-over spells on a gripping Lucknow surface will be the defining tactical battle of the game.
2. Rahmanullah Gurbaz vs Arshdeep Singh
Gurbaz is lethal when he gets going, as proven by his century in the last game. Arshdeep Singh will need to find early swing with the white ball to disrupt Gurbaz’s footwork before he settles into his rhythm.
IND vs AFG 2026 2nd ODI Match Prediction
While Afghanistan possesses the individual firepower to upset any top-tier team, India’s batting depth and the luxury of playing in home conditions give them a massive advantage. If Afghanistan’s spin department exploits the Lucknow pitch perfectly, they will run India close. However, expect India to win the 2nd ODI and clinch the series 2-0.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Where can I watch the India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI live?
The match will be broadcasted live on sports networks in India and will be available for digital streaming on JioHotstar/BCCI official streaming partners.
Q2: Are Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah playing this series?
No. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for this multi-format series, while Virat Kohli was ruled out of the ODI leg due to an unfortunate injury just before the matches began.
Q3: What time does the 2nd ODI start?
The match begins at 1:30 PM IST, with the toss taking place at 1:00 PM IST.
Also read, 5 Must-Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 Matches Next Week (June 15–21)
Watch Latest News Videos on KRH News: Click Here