After a dominant victory in the series opener, India holds a 1-0 lead and now has a chance to seal the three-match ODI series tonight. The match comes after a rain-curtailed first ODI in Dharamshala, where India managed to win despite the reduced overs. Now both teams face extremely hot and humid conditions in Lucknow.
The Ekana Stadium pitch generally favors bowlers, especially spinners. The surface tends to slow down as the match progresses, which can make batting more challenging in the second innings. Slow turn and variable bounce are expected, so teams must plan their innings carefully.
Weather conditions are intense. Lucknow will see temperatures soaring up to 40°C by afternoon, with humidity levels between 33% and 38%. The “Feels Like” temperature could reach 45°C during the first innings. Clear skies are expected with no rain disruption, though winds from the west-northwest at 8 mph may create light haze. Conditions will improve slightly by evening, with temperatures dropping to 33°C at the match’s conclusion.
IND vs AFG Match details
Afghanistan tour of India 2026, 2nd ODI
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Time: 1:30 pm IST (1:30 pm Local Time)
Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Broadcast Information
The match will be telecast on the Star Sports Network, including:
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Star Sports 1
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Star Sports 1 Hindi
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Corresponding HD channels
Star Sports Network has the exclusive broadcast rights for the Afghanistan tour of India 2026 ODI series in India. You can watch the match in English, Hindi, and other regional languages with commentary.
📱 Live Streaming (India):
Fans can stream the match live on:
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JioHotstar app (mobile/tablet)
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JioHotstar website (desktop)
JioHotstar is the official digital streaming platform for the series in India.
Where To Watch IND vs AFG Match Live Streaming INFO:
Fans can watch the match on Star Sports Network or stream it live on JioStar. With the heat intense and the pitch slow, this will be a test of endurance and strategy for both sides. India looks strong, but Afghanistan’s spinners could make it competitive if their batters survive the early blow.
Live Streaming Info:
The 2ND ODI IND vs AFG will be live on Star Sports.
Live Score Info:
India vs Afghanistan 2026: All matches on ESPN and Cricbuzz have live scores.
Head-to-Head Summary
India and Afghanistan have met in 4 ODI matches previously. India dominates with 3 wins, while Afghanistan has 0 wins, and 1 match ended as a Tie/No Result.
Last 5 ODI Meetings:
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India won 3 matches
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Afghanistan won 0 matches
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1 Tie/No Result
India’s dominance in ODIs is clear, though Afghanistan has proven competitive in T20s and Tests recently.
Current Form and Team Analysis
India’s Form:
India enters this series with immense confidence after an innings-and-300-runs victory in the recent one-off Test at Mullanpur. Shubman Gill’s team won the rain-shortened opener dominantly, and they’re aiming to seal the series tonight. India’s batting strength includes Rohit Sharma’s leadership, strong middle-order depth, and excellent spin-bowling options. However, the team is missing Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya for this series, which means younger players must step up.
Afghanistan’s Form:
Afghanistan is fighting back after losing the opener. They’re known for their explosive spin attack led by Rashid Khan, who remains their key player. Afghanistan’s weakness lies in batting consistency against quality pace, but their spinners can dominate on Ekana’s slow surface. They need their top order to fire and avoid early collapses.
Key Talking Points
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Series Decider: India can seal the series with one win, while Afghanistan must win to keep hopes alive.
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Spin Battle: Ekana’s pitch favors spinners—Rashid Khan versus India’s spin quartet will be crucial.
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Heat Challenge: With temperatures reaching 45°C, player fitness and hydration will be critical.
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Young India: Without Kohli and Pandya, India’s younger batters like Gill, Pant, and Yadav must perform.
Probable Playing XI
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Axar Patel
Probable XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Najibullah Zadran, Ibrahim Zadran, Gulbadin Naib, Asghar Afghan, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mukhammad Shahzad, Fareed Ahmad, Usman Ghani
India is the clear favorite based on form, squad strength, and head-to-head dominance. They won the opener convincingly, and the Ekana pitch suits their spin-heavy attack. Afghanistan’s only hope is Rashid Khan’s magic and a strong top-order performance. However, India’s batting depth and experienced bowling should overpower them.