Buoyed by a commanding win in the opening ODI, India look to clinch the series against Afghanistan in Lucknow. In the rain hit first ODI, reduced to 25 overs, India chased a 195 run target in 22.5 overs losing just three wickets. With no rain threat expected in the second ODI, a full 50 over contest is likely to unfold in Lucknow.

With the 2027 World Cup merely 16 months away, this is an opportune moment to commence comprehensive preparations. The impressive debuts of Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey, alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy’s display, augur well for India.

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Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s magnificent century emerged as Afghanistan’s lone bright spot, while the remaining batters failed. He complied a scintillating 102 off 51 deliveries, featuring eight fours and eight sixes, before falling to Nitish. Afghan possess ample talent to trouble India significantly, provided they deliver a wholehearted and uncompromising performance.

Team News

Rohit Sharma experienced wrist discomfort in the first ODI, should he miss out, Yashasvi Jaiswal may replace him. Another conceivable alteration involves introducing Kuldeep Yadhav in place of a seamer to bolster India’s bowling attack.

India Probable XI:- Rohit Sharma , Shubman Gill (c) , Ishan Kishan (wk) , Shreyas Iyer , K.L.Rahul (wk) , Washington Sundar , Nitish Kumar Reddy , Harsh Dubey , Gurnooe Brar , Prasidh Krishna , Arshdeep Singh.

The visitors are expected to field an unchanged lineup for the encounter.

Afghanistan Probable XI:- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk) , Ibrahim Zadran , Sediqullah Atal , Rahmat Shah , Hashmatullah Shahidi (c) , Azmatullah Omarzai , Mohammad Nabi , Rashid Khan , A.M.Ghazanfar , Mohammed Saleem , Ziaur Rahman.

Pitch Report

Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow is anticipated to be sluggish, offering substantial assistance to spin bowlers. The average first innings total is anticipated to hover around 270 runs on this particular surface. The team winning the toss likely to elect batting first.

Time

Match will begin at 01:30 PM , IST (17-06-26).