India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Lucknow: Time, squads, where to watch
Synopsis
India need just one more win to seal the ODI series against Afghanistan, and Lucknow's spin-friendly surface sets up a fascinating tactical battle. With World Cup 2027 planning in the background and debutants already making their mark, this second ODI is as much about squad-building as it is about the result.
Key Takeaways
India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI is scheduled for Wednesday, 17 June at 1:30 PM IST in Lucknow .
India lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the rain-shortened opener in Dharamsala by 7 wickets .
Debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey impressed with the ball in the first ODI.
Afghanistan must win to keep the series alive; their batting was over-reliant on Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the opener.
The match will be broadcast on Star Sports Network and live-streamed on JioStar .
The final ODI of the series is set for 20 June .
India will look to seal the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan when the two sides meet in the 2nd ODI at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Wednesday, 17 June, with the match starting at 1:30 PM IST. A win would give India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, with the final game scheduled for 20 June.
Series So Far
India entered this contest with momentum after a commanding performance in the rain-shortened series opener in Dharamsala. Chasing a revised target of 195 in a 25-over contest, the hosts overhauled the total with 13 balls to spare, restricting Afghanistan to 194 before the chase. Debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey impressed with disciplined spells, signalling the emergence of fresh bowling options for the national side.
India's Selection Approach
With one eye firmly on the 2027 ODI World Cup, India's team management is expected to continue experimenting with combinations. Seasoned campaigners like Kuldeep Yadav and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal remain in contention for the playing XI, giving selectors an opportunity to assess their form in match conditions. Shubman Gill leads the side, with Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya also in the squad.
Afghanistan's Must-Win Position
For Afghanistan, this match is effectively a knockout. The visitors must win in Lucknow to keep the series alive ahead of the final ODI. Their batting unit came under scrutiny in the opener, with the side leaning heavily on Rahmanullah Gurbaz. A more collective effort with the bat will be essential if they are to post a competitive total or chase down India's score. With the ball, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi's side will again bank on the threat posed by star leg-spinner Rashid Khan and wrist-spinner AM Ghazanfar.
Pitch and Conditions
The Lucknow surface is expected to offer more assistance to spin compared to the Dharamsala track, which could tilt conditions in Afghanistan's favour. India's own spin resources — including Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar — are well-equipped to exploit any turn on offer, setting up a potentially absorbing battle between the two spin-heavy attacks.
Squads and Broadcast Details
India Squad: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Prasidh Krishna, Shreyas Iyer, Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey, Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav.
Afghanistan Squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Sediqullah Atal, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ikram Alikhil (wk), Azmatullah Omarzai, Bilal Sami, Nangeyalia Kharoti, Fareed Ahmad Malik, AM Ghazanfar, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Darwish Rasooli, Ibrahim Zadran, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.
The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on JioStar. A spin-friendly Lucknow pitch and high series stakes make this one of the more compelling fixtures of the home summer.
Point of View
But the real test is whether these players can hold their own when the opposition has more firepower. Afghanistan's spin-heavy attack on a Lucknow turner is exactly the kind of pressure scenario India's new faces need to navigate. If India rotate their squad and still win, it validates the depth. If they stumble, the management will face questions about whether experimentation is coming at the cost of results in a format where India have historically been vulnerable to upsets.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI?
The 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan is scheduled for Wednesday, 17 June at 1:30 PM IST at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. India lead the three-match series 1-0.
Where can I watch the India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI live?
The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network. Live streaming is available on JioStar.
What happened in the 1st ODI between India and Afghanistan?
India won the rain-shortened first ODI in Dharamsala by 7 wickets, chasing a revised target of 195 in 25 overs with 13 balls to spare. Debutants Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey were standout performers with the ball.
What is India's squad for the Afghanistan ODI series?
India's squad is led by Shubman Gill and includes Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Prince Yadav.
Why is the 2nd ODI crucial for Afghanistan?
Afghanistan must win the Lucknow ODI to keep the three-match series alive, as they trail 0-1. A defeat would hand India an unassailable 2-0 lead ahead of the final match on 20 June.
