India vs Afghanistan ODI Series 2026 begins after a dominant Test performance by Team India. The 1st ODI is scheduled for June 13 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, one of the most beautiful cricket venues. With cool weather, scenic hills, and a packed crowd, fans can expect an exciting start to the series.
But this series is not just about winning three matches against a lower-ranked opponent. With the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa already on the selectors’ radar, every single game from here on carries extra weight. Let us break down everything you need to know before the first ball is bowled tomorrow.
India Crushed Afghanistan in the Test – Now the ODIs Begin
India did not hold back in the one-off Test match. The team posted a massive 564/8 declared and bowled Afghanistan out for 152 and 112, winning by an innings and 300 runs. It was a clinical, almost ruthless performance — the kind that sends a clear message to the rest of the cricketing world.
Shubman Gill, who is captaining India in this series, looked sharp and authoritative both on and off the field. The young captain has grown into the leadership role quickly, and the Test win would have done his confidence a world of good heading into the ODI leg.
India vs Afghanistan ODI Series 2026 – Full Schedule
Here is the complete schedule for the three-match ODI series:
| Match | Date | Venue | Time (IST) |
| 1st ODI | June 13, 2026 (Saturday) | HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala | 1:30 PM |
| 2nd ODI | June 17, 2026 (Wednesday) | Ekana Stadium, Lucknow | 1:30 PM |
| 3rd ODI | June 20, 2026 (Saturday) | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai | 1:30 PM |
All three matches are Day-Night fixtures, so expect the evening sessions to be particularly lively. For the latest sports news and live updates, keep checking our sports section throughout the series.
India’s ODI Squad – Big Names, Bigger Questions
The squad for this series has plenty of talking points. Here is the confirmed India ODI squad:
- Captain: Shubman Gill
- Vice-Captain: Shreyas Iyer
- Batters: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Axar Patel
- All-rounders: Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar
- Bowlers: Prince Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav
Notable Absences:
- Virat Kohli – Ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in the IPL 2026 final. BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar mentioned he could be fit for the England ODIs. Fingers crossed.
- Hardik Pandya – Picked up a fresh quadriceps strain and has been ruled out of the entire ODI series. His fitness has been a recurring concern and the selectors will be watching closely.
- Jasprit Bumrah – Rested deliberately. With the England tour coming up, nobody wants to risk Bumrah on a series where India should be comfortable without him.
- Rishabh Pant – Dropped from the squad after poor form. KL Rahul has taken over the wicketkeeper role and has been in superb touch with the bat.
Three New Faces to Watch
One of the most exciting parts of this squad announcement is the inclusion of three uncapped players. These are names you should remember.
Harsh Dubey – A right-arm off-spinner from Madhya Pradesh who has been quietly impressive in domestic cricket. At just 23, he has the kind of control and flight that could trouble batsmen on Indian pitches.
Gurnoor Brar – A left-arm medium-fast bowler who generated a lot of buzz in the IPL 2026. He has an awkward action that batsmen struggle to read, and his ability to swing the ball both ways makes him genuinely exciting.
Prince Yadav – A hard-hitting lower-order batsman and useful medium-pacer. He was one of the standout performers in the Ranji Trophy this season and has earned his call-up through sheer consistency.
Why This Series Matters More Than You Think
In the India vs Afghanistan ODI Series 2026, Afghanistan may look like an easy opponent on paper. They are ranked lower and have never beaten India in an ODI series. But calling this series just a routine task would be a mistake, as Afghanistan can still challenge India on their day.
The 2027 ODI World Cup is the real target. India finished as runners-up in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the squad has been slowly rebuilding and reshaping itself ever since. The selectors are clearly using these lower-pressure series to try different combinations, give young players international exposure, and figure out their best XI before the big tournament.
If you enjoy in-depth sports analysis, our Premier League breakdown is another great read for sports fans who love going beyond the surface.
Without Kohli and Hardik, someone needs to step up in the middle order. Shreyas Iyer as vice-captain suggests the selectors see him as a crucial piece of the puzzle. Every game in this series is essentially an audition. And the players know it.
Rohit Sharma – The Elephant in the Room
In the India vs Afghanistan ODI Series 2026, one big question is Rohit Sharma’s fitness. He is part of the squad, but he has been dealing with a right hamstring injury since IPL 2026. He only returned as an Impact Substitute later in the tournament, which makes fans wonder if he is ready to handle a full match.
At 38, Rohit is not getting any younger. The selectors clearly still believe in him – his experience, his reading of the game, and his ability to demolish attacks on good batting days remain unmatched. But if he is not fully fit, it would make more sense to give one of the younger openers a proper run.
Watch how Rohit moves in the field during the 1st ODI. That will tell you everything about his fitness.
Afghanistan’s Strengths – Do Not Underestimate Them
Afghanistan has come a long way in world cricket. Their spinners — particularly Rashid Khan and Mujeeb ur Rahman — are genuinely world-class and have troubled far better batting lineups than India’s second-string options in this series.
In the T20 World Cup earlier this year, Afghanistan showed they can pull off upsets against anyone on a given day. Their batsmen are aggressive and unorthodox, which can sometimes work in their favour when the opposition is not prepared.
India vs Afghanistan ODI Series 2026 is likely to go in India’s favor, with a possible 3-0 result. Still, Afghanistan can make things interesting, especially on spin-friendly pitches like Lucknow or Chennai.
Where to Watch IND vs AFG ODI Series Live
- TV: Star Sports 3, Star Sports 3 HD, Star Sports Hindi
- Live Streaming: JioHotstar (formerly Disney+ Hotstar)
- Radio: All India Radio
- Live Scores: ESPNCricinfo |BCCI Official
- For fans outside India, the series will be available on Willow TV (USA/Canada), Sky Sports (UK), and various regional broadcasters
Our Prediction
India vs Afghanistan ODI Series 2026 looks strongly in India’s favor. Even without Kohli and Hardik, the batting lineup is solid and capable of scoring big runs. The bowling unit, led by Shami and Kuldeep, is also strong and can create real problems for Afghanistan’s batsmen.
However, the 2nd ODI in Lucknow on a fresh pitch could be interesting if Afghanistan’s spinners find some purchase. That might be the one game where Afghanistan has a genuine chance.
Predicted Series Result: India win 3-0
The more important outcomes will be what we learn about Rohit’s fitness, whether the three new players justify their selection, and whether Shreyas Iyer can cement his place as India’s number four for the World Cup.
Quick Summary
- 1st ODI: June 13, Dharamsala — India vs Afghanistan, 1:30 PM IST
- Captain: Shubman Gill
- Key Absentees: Virat Kohli (hamstring), Hardik Pandya (quadriceps), Jasprit Bumrah (rested)
- Players to watch: Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav
- Where to watch: JioHotstar, Star Sports
- India won the Test by an innings and 300 runs
Stay tuned to GotTrendingToday for live score updates, match previews, and post-match analysis throughout the series. Also check out the latest in our News section and Entertainment section for more trending stories.
For the latest cricket news, squad updates, and match previews, keep checking GotTrendingToday.com
