India’s 2026-27 white‑ball season is officially underway. After the one‑off Test against Afghanistan, the ODI series represents the beginning of a crucial phase leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup. India, led by stand‑in captain Shubman Gill in the absence of the injured Rohit Sharma, started the series with a comprehensive seven‑wicket victory in Dharamsala — a rain‑affected match that was reduced to 25 overs per side.[reference:5]

The first ODI was a story of two remarkable innings. Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashed a breathtaking 102 off just 48 balls — the fastest ODI century for Afghanistan and the second‑fastest against India in ODI history. But India’s chase was equally emphatic, with captain Shubman Gill anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 84, guiding India home with 7 wickets in hand. The victory gave India a 1-0 lead in the three‑match series.

For Afghanistan, the equation is now simple: win the second ODI in Lucknow to keep the series alive, or face elimination. The visitors have never beaten India in ODIs — their record stands at 0‑3 in four completed matches, with one match ending in a tie.[reference:6] With the return of Rashid Khan, who has five wickets in three ODIs against India, Afghanistan have the firepower to trouble the hosts.[reference:7] But they will need more than individual brilliance to break their duck against the Men in Blue.[reference:8]

The numbers heavily favour the hosts. In four ODI encounters between these two sides, India have won three, with one match ending in a tie.[reference:9] Afghanistan’s best result against India came in the 2018 Asia Cup, where they forced a Super Over tie. But a victory has remained elusive. In T20Is, India have won all five meetings, and in the recent one‑off Test, India won by an innings and 300 runs.

Afghanistan’s bowling attack — led by Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Noor Ahmad — has the ability to trouble any batting lineup. However, their batting has often let them down against India. Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s 102 in the first ODI was a rare bright spot, and the visitors will need more contributions from the rest of the batting order if they are to break their duck.[reference:10]

The second ODI will be played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The venue is known for its balanced surface, offering something for both batters and bowlers. Historically, the pitch has been on the slower side, with spinners coming into play as the match progresses. Pacers with good variations can also extract some movement early on.

Scoring at the Ekana Stadium has traditionally been moderate. While big totals are possible, the pitch generally offers enough assistance to bowlers to keep the scoring rate in check. The captain winning the toss may be tempted to bat first, given that the pitch tends to slow down in the second innings. Weather conditions in Lucknow are expected to be clear, with no forecast of rain interruptions. The match will be played under sunny skies, with temperatures around 35‑37°C.

India: The hosts are likely to make a couple of changes to their playing XI. With the series on the line and the management keen on experimenting with combinations ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, Yashasvi Jaiswal could get a game at the top of the order.[reference:11] Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to be included in the playing XI, possibly replacing Rohit Sharma.[reference:12] The management is also considering giving a game to Kuldeep Yadav, with a spinner likely to make way.[reference:13]

Afghanistan: The visitors are expected to field a settled side, with Rashid Khan returning to the XI after being rested for the one‑off Test. Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran will continue to open the batting, while Hashmatullah Shahidi will lead the side. The bowling attack will revolve around Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Fazalhaq Farooqi.

India’s Batting Depth vs Afghanistan’s Spin Attack: Afghanistan’s bowling attack — led by Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, and Noor Ahmad — is their biggest weapon. India’s middle order will need to navigate the spin threat carefully. The Ekana pitch offers grip for spinners, making this battle crucial.

Afghanistan’s Top-Order Challenge: Afghanistan’s batting relies heavily on Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran. If India’s pacers — Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna — can strike early, Afghanistan’s middle order could be exposed. The visitors will need contributions from the rest of the batting order to post a competitive total.

The Middle Overs Battle: The Ekana pitch tends to slow down in the middle overs, making spin bowling more effective. India’s spinners — Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar — will look to exploit this against Afghanistan’s middle order. Conversely, Afghanistan’s spinners will target India’s middle order, which relies heavily on Gill, Iyer, and Rahul.

India Women are the clear favourites on paper, given their dominant head‑to‑head record, home advantage, and superior depth. However, Afghanistan’s spin attack and desperation make them dangerous. The Ekana pitch offers significant assistance to spinners, and the team that adapts better to the conditions will have the edge.

Prediction: India to win, but only after a tight contest. The hosts’ batting depth and home conditions should prove too much for Afghanistan. However, if Rashid Khan and the spin attack fire, Afghanistan could pull off an upset.