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Saturday 13 June, 09.00
TV: TNT Sports
India v Afghanistan first ODI team news
India are without Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya, who have both withdrawn from the squad due to injury. Those absences give two fringe players the chance to stake a claim.
Ishan Kishan could be asked to be the main man in the middle order in the hope that he brings IPL form. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who has played only four ODI, is usually only called on in the squad when Hardik is injured but he was named alongside him in the original squad.
Rohit Sharma will attempt to be evergreen at the top of the order. There's no Jasprit Bumrah but Prince Yadav could debut.
Possible XI: Jaiswal, Rohit, Gill, Ishan, Shreyas, Rahul, Reddy, Sundar, Kuldeep, Arshdeep, Prince
Afghanistan were powderpuff in the only Test match between these sides last week. They will be grateful for a switch to their best format and delighted to welcome back Rashid Khan to the squad and best batter Ibrahim Zadran.
Mohammad Nabi also adds experience and if the Afghans are going to stick in this one he and fellow all-rounders (Azmatullah Omarzai and Nangeyalia Kharote) are going to need to produce. The bowling still looks weak and inexperienced with none of the reliable quicks picked.
Mohammad Saleem, Ziaur Rahman and Bilal Sami have four ODI between them. Allah Ghazanfar is in the squad as the extra spin option.
Possible XI: Gurbaz, Ibrahim, Hashmatullah, Rahmat, Omarzai, Nabi, Kharote, Rashid, Bilal, Ziaur, Ghazanfar
India v Afghanistan first ODI pitch report
There have only been five day-night ODI played at Dharamsala. Three were won by the side chasing. There is, however, a nine-year gap between the first of those ODI and the fourth, which was in the World Cup in October 2023. Netherlands squeezed South Africa to defend 245 with pace off. In the next game, though, India had few worries chasing 274 against New Zealand, who couldn't make conditions work for them despite deploying three spinners.
The weather could be the biggest pointer. Rain is forecast all day so if they do get out for a game, pacers could expect some help with seam and swing prevalent. Conditions are expected to be chilly. For innings runs bets 40 overs will be required to be bowled (not including if a side is bowled out) for bets to stand.
India v Afghanistan first ODI match prediction
These two have only met four times in ODI. There have been three India wins and one tie, back in 2018. The most recent contest was in 2023 when India won by eight wickets.
But there might be cause for optimism for Afghanistan here. India are not at full strength and conditions could bring the two closer together. That may require Afghanistan to bowl first, however, and they must be able to make benefit if any seam or swing.
India are not as confident in this format as one would expect. They were beaten 2-1 by New Zealand earlier this year, managed a 2-1 win at home to South Africa after losing 2-1 in Australia. They give teams a chance.
An in-play strategy on the Exchange may be the best option, with the caveat that Afghanistan bowl first. Backing them at around the 7.006/1 mark (we don't expect a shift post toss) will mean we look for 3.002/1 in play, which really isn't a big ask. Then double the original 'to back' stake and hit the lay button for all green on both sides.
Sportsbook offer Afghanistan at 11/26.50 but betting on them to be competitive in-play is the more reasonable strategy. They may not have the quality to quite get over the line.
An alternative option to a match odds bet is Sportsbook's 11/112.00 that there is no 50 in the match. This could be one for the bowlers and the bet would keep onside a total Afghan collapse, which cannot be totally ruled out following their poor show in the Test.
Back no 50 in the match
India v Afghanistan first ODI player bets
The focus in pace bowlers here who could get seam and swing. Azmatullah may be underrated at 9/25.50 for top Afghan bowler. it wouldn't be a surprise if he opened the bowling. He has been given more responsibility in white-ball recently. Arshdeep Singh is the correct favourite for India at 3/14.00 as attack leader. He could make life difficult for the visitors. Remember that both markets are settled on fewest number of runs conceded if bowlers tie on wickets.