India Begins Journey to 2027 ODI World Cup with Afghanistan Series

India is set to launch its campaign for the 2027 ODI World Cup with the first match against Afghanistan in Dharamsala. The team will focus on Rohit Sharma's fitness and the potential of new players like Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harsh Dubey. With Virat Kohli sidelined, adjustments in the batting order are necessary. The match promises to be exciting, especially with Afghanistan's strong lineup featuring veterans like Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan. Fans can catch the live action on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar. Discover more about the squads and what to expect in this thrilling series.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 12, 2026, 18:27 IST

India vs Afghanistan: ODI Series Kickoff

India is set to commence its journey towards the 2027 ODI World Cup with the opening match of a three-match series against Afghanistan in Dharamsala this Saturday. Key points of interest include the fitness of Rohit Sharma, the development of Nitish Kumar Reddy as a pace-bowling all-rounder, and the emergence of potential debutants such as Prince Yadav and Harsh Dubey. With Virat Kohli out due to a hamstring injury, India will need to adjust their batting lineup. Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shreyas Iyer are anticipated to play crucial roles in the batting order. Additionally, concerns regarding Hardik Pandya's fitness make Reddy's performance as a seam-bowling option particularly significant.

Afghanistan enters the series with a formidable white-ball squad, enhanced by the return of experienced players like Mohammad Nabi and Rashid Khan. India has approximately 25 ODIs scheduled before the major tournament, providing ample opportunities to experiment with different players and combinations. Shubman Gill's captaincy in ODIs has faced challenges, with two losses in three series, and he aims to strengthen his leadership alongside head coach Gautam Gambhir. It is likely that Shubman and Rohit will open the innings, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan are expected to fill the number three spot in Kohli's absence.

Live Streaming Details for IND vs AFG

When is the IND vs AFG 1st ODI Match scheduled to be live in India?

The IND vs AFG 1st ODI Match will be broadcast live in India on June 13 at 1:30 PM IST.

Where can viewers watch the IND vs AFG 1st ODI Match live in India?

The match will be available on the Star Sports Network and can be streamed live on Disney+ Hotstar.

Squads

India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav

Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi(c), Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil(w), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, Darwish Rasooli, Fareed Ahmad Malik, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi