Rain delays toss in India vs Afghanistan ODI opener at Dharamshala
Synopsis
India's ODI series opener against Afghanistan in Dharamshala has been hit by persistent rain, delaying the toss and raising the prospect of a curtailed match. With Kohli and Pandya sidelined by injury, and Rohit Sharma only just passing his fitness test, India's batting order going into a crucial World Cup preparatory series is unsettled — and the weather is only adding to the uncertainty.
Key Takeaways
The toss for the India vs Afghanistan ODI opener at HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala was delayed due to persistent rain on 13 June .
Rain is forecast until at least 4:30 pm IST ; match start depends on the stadium's drainage capacity.
Virat Kohli (hamstring) and Hardik Pandya (leg injury) have been ruled out of the series.
Rohit Sharma cleared his fitness test at the BCCI CoE, Bengaluru and is set to open with Shubman Gill .
The number three batting slot is open, with KL Rahul , Yashasvi Jaiswal , and Ishan Kishan in contention.
India have won 3 of 4 completed ODIs against Afghanistan, with one match ending in a tie in the 2018 Asia Cup .
The toss for the first ODI between India and Afghanistan at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala has been delayed due to persistent rain, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed on 13 June. The series opener is part of India's preparations for the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup, to be hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Rain Disrupts Build-Up
Dharamshala has witnessed continuous rainfall over the past two days, with showers persisting on match day as well. According to weather forecasts, rain is expected to continue until at least 4:30 pm IST, with conditions potentially improving later in the evening. The eventual start of the match will depend on the drainage capacity of the HPCA Stadium once the rain clears.
India's Injury Concerns and Squad Changes
Shubman Gill-led India head into the series without two key players — Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya, ruled out with hamstring and leg injuries respectively. However, veteran opener Rohit Sharma has been cleared to play after passing a fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, and is set to open alongside Gill.
India bowling coach Morne Morkel indicated at the pre-match press conference that the team management plans to experiment with the number three batting position in Kohli's absence, with KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ishan Kishan all under consideration for the slot.
Why the Toss Matters More Than Usual
Dharamshala's conditions have historically favoured fast bowlers with the new ball, making the toss a significant factor at this venue. With rain in the forecast and the possibility of a truncated match, the moisture in the pitch adds further weight to winning the toss. Notably, three of the five ODIs played at this ground during the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup were won by the team that batted first.
India-Afghanistan ODI Head-to-Head
India hold a dominant record against Afghanistan in ODIs, having won all three completed encounters. One match — played during the 2018 Asia Cup — ended in a tie. The three-match series carries added significance as both sides look to accumulate competitive match time ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle.
What to Watch
With Kohli unavailable and the number three slot unsettled, this series offers India a genuine opportunity to test their middle-order depth under pressure conditions. The weather at Dharamshala will be the immediate factor to monitor, but the team composition decisions made in this series could shape India's ODI blueprint for the next two years.
Point of View
But the real story in Dharamshala is India's unsettled batting order. Losing Kohli and Pandya simultaneously to injury before a World Cup preparatory series is a genuine stress test for the selection framework — and for Gill's captaincy credentials. The number three experiment Morkel flagged is not a minor tweak; in ODI cricket, that position often defines a team's ability to consolidate or accelerate. How India resolves it across three matches against a competitive Afghanistan side will matter far beyond this series. The 2027 World Cup window is opening, and India's middle-order blueprint is still being written.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the toss delayed in the India vs Afghanistan ODI in Dharamshala?
The toss was delayed due to persistent rain at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on 13 June, with the BCCI confirming the delay. Rain was forecast to continue until at least 4:30 pm IST, after which drainage conditions would determine the match start time.
Is Virat Kohli playing in the India vs Afghanistan ODI series?
No, Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury. Hardik Pandya is also unavailable, sidelined by a leg injury, leaving India without two of their most experienced players.
Is Rohit Sharma playing in the Dharamshala ODI?
Yes, Rohit Sharma has been cleared to play after passing a fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He is set to open the batting alongside captain Shubman Gill.
Why does the toss matter so much at Dharamshala?
Dharamshala's conditions traditionally assist fast bowlers with the new ball, making the toss a key tactical advantage. In the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup, three of the five ODIs at this venue were won by the team batting first.
What is the significance of the India-Afghanistan ODI series?
The three-match series is part of India's preparation for the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup, to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. It also gives the team management an opportunity to test combinations, particularly the unsettled number three batting position, in Kohli's absence.
