IND vs AFG — 13 Jun 2026 — Match Preview: Pitch Report, Playing XI, Key Players & Prediction

India will take on Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on Saturday, June 13. The match will begin at 1:30 PM IST, with Shubman Gill leading the hosts and Hashmatullah Shahidi captaining Afghanistan.

The series forms an important part of both teams' preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. India will head into the series with confidence after registering a dominant innings-and-300-run victory over Afghanistan in the recent one-off Test in Mullanpur.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will rely on experienced players such as Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, and Azmatullah Omarzai. The visitors have improved in the 50-over format over the last few years and will look to challenge India with their spin attack and aggressive batting lineup.

India will start the first ODI as clear favorites against Afghanistan. Shubman Gill will lead a strong batting unit that includes Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul. Although Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya are unavailable, India still have plenty of depth in both batting and bowling.

Afghanistan have match-winners such as Rashid Khan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Azmatullah Omarzai, but they will need a special performance to challenge the hosts. With home conditions and a balanced squad, India hold a clear advantage heading into the series opener.

Prediction: India to win.