India Eye Series Win as Gurbaz-Led Afghanistan Aim to Fight Back in 2nd ODI at Lucknow

India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI 2026 Preview: Gill’s Men Look to Seal Series, Gurbaz Seeks Another Masterclass

After an impressive victory in the rain-shortened opening ODI at Dharamsala, India head to Lucknow with momentum firmly on their side and a golden opportunity to clinch the three-match ODI series. The second ODI at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium promises another fascinating battle between an Indian side experimenting with fresh talent and an Afghanistan team desperate to level the series.

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India currently lead 1-0 after a convincing seven-wicket win in the first match. Despite missing several senior stars, the hosts looked balanced and confident under the leadership of Shubman Gill, while Afghanistan showed flashes of brilliance but failed to convert promising moments into a complete performance.

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India Building Strong World Cup Foundations

The first ODI offered encouraging signs for India’s preparations toward the 2027 ODI World Cup. Young players grabbed their opportunities, while experienced campaigners provided stability when required.

Debutant Gurnoor Brar impressed with disciplined fast bowling, Harsh Dubey showcased his all-round abilities, and Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with timely breakthroughs. The return of Ishan Kishan also strengthened India’s batting depth.

Captain Shubman Gill continues to look increasingly comfortable in leadership, combining tactical awareness with consistent batting performances.

Afghanistan’s Biggest Hope: Rahmanullah Gurbaz

If there was one player who truly lit up the first ODI, it was Rahmanullah Gurbaz. His breathtaking 48-ball century briefly stunned the Indian attack and reminded everyone why he remains one of the most explosive opening batters in world cricket.

However, Afghanistan’s middle order failed to build on his heroics, allowing India to regain control. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted after the match that his side left nearly 30 runs behind with the bat.

To challenge India in Lucknow, Afghanistan will need stronger contributions from Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, and Rashid Khan.

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Ekana Stadium Pitch Report

Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium has earned a reputation for assisting spinners, but statistics reveal that fast bowlers have actually enjoyed slightly better success in ODIs at the venue.

The average first-innings score hovers around 238 runs, suggesting a balanced contest between bat and ball. Teams chasing have also enjoyed decent success here, although disciplined bowling performances can still defend moderate totals.

Winning the toss could influence strategy, but adaptability during the middle overs will likely determine the outcome.

Team News

India may monitor Rohit Sharma’s wrist after he took a blow during the first ODI. If rested, Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to slot into the opening position alongside captain Shubman Gill.

Virat Kohli remains unavailable due to a hamstring injury, giving younger players another chance to cement their places.

Afghanistan are expected to retain the same playing XI that featured in Dharamsala, trusting their core group to bounce back.

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Probable India XI

• Shubman Gill (Captain)
• Rohit Sharma / Yashasvi Jaiswal
• Ishan Kishan (WK)
• Shreyas Iyer
• KL Rahul
• Washington Sundar
• Nitish Kumar Reddy
• Harsh Dubey
• Gurnoor Brar
• Arshdeep Singh
• Prasidh Krishna

Probable Afghanistan XI

• Ibrahim Zadran
• Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK)
• Sediqullah Atal
• Rahmat Shah
• Hashmatullah Shahidi (Captain)
• Azmatullah Omarzai
• Mohammad Nabi
• Rashid Khan
• Mohammad Saleem Safi
• AM Ghazanfar
• Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi

Players to Watch

Shubman Gill (India)

India’s captain has looked calm and composed at the top of the order. Another big knock could seal the series for the hosts.

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Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan)

Coming off a sensational century, Gurbaz possesses the firepower to change the course of the game within a few overs.

Gurnoor Brar (India)

The debutant pacer made an immediate impact in the first ODI and will be eager to continue his impressive start.

Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)

Even on batting-friendly surfaces, Rashid remains Afghanistan’s biggest match-winner with the ball.

Head-to-Head at Lucknow

Afghanistan have experienced mixed fortunes at the Ekana Stadium, recording memorable victories but also suffering heavy defeats. India, meanwhile, have played only a handful of ODIs here but understand the conditions well enough to exploit home advantage.

Match Prediction

India enter the contest as favorites thanks to their superior squad depth, balanced bowling attack, and confidence from the first ODI victory. Afghanistan, however, have already shown through Gurbaz’s explosive batting that they can challenge the hosts if their middle order and bowlers deliver collectively.

If India strike early with the ball and their top order fires once again, they should secure an unassailable 2-0 lead. But if Gurbaz produces another innings of brilliance and Rashid Khan finds rhythm, fans could witness a thrilling contest in Lucknow.

Match Details

• Match: India vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI
• Date: 17 June 2026
• Time: 1:30 PM IST
• Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
• Series: 3-Match ODI Series
• Current Scoreline: India lead 1-0