Published on: Jun 16, 2026 12:22 pm IST | Updated on: Jun 16, 2026 12:22 pm IST
Team India were clinical in the 1st ODI to get the better of Afghanistan by 7 wickets (DLS Method) in Dharamsala. The two teams will now head to the Ekana International cricket stadium in Lucknow for the second game of the series. Team India is already 1-0 up in the three-match series. If they manage to win this contest, the hosts will take an unassailable 2-0 lead, and the third game will be a dead rubber. For Afghanistan, the stakes are high as thet need to win this encounter to stay alive in the series and push the verdict into the decider. In this post, we have come up with free expert tips for the 2nd ODI, IND vs AFG, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
Team India will once again start as the favorites in this fixture. They did quick work of Afghanistan in Dharamsala and will look to the game even quicker in Lucknow, where bowlers will get quite some help from the surface, especially the seamers. Therefore, expect the win probability meter leaning in favor of the hosts yet again. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 2nd ODI, IND vs AFG, at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.
IND: 90% win chance AFG: 10% win chance
Consistency has never been a friend of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, but we are backing the right hand explosive opener of Afghanistan to continue from where he left in Dharamsala. After scoring a magnificent ton in the last game, Rahmanullah will be on cloud nine heading into the second ODI.
The Indian skipper exactly knows a thing or two bashing inexperienced bowlers. That was on display in Dharamsala as he made his way to unbeaten 84 off 66 deliveries. He will look to add more runs in his kitty in the next game.
A quick-fire 34 off 22 was what Ishan Kishan got in the previous game. The wicket-keeper batter will bat at no 3 yet again in the absence of Virat Kohli and will look to do well.
One of the most consistent batters of Afghanistan in white-ball cricket, Ibrahim missed out on a good show in Dharamsala. The right-hander has amassed 430 runs in his last 7 ODI innings at a staggering average of 61.43.
Check out our prediction for the IND vs AFG 2nd ODI match at the Ekana Stadium, Lucknow.
Team India will once again start as firm favorites when they face Afghanistan in the 2nd ODI at the Ekana Stadium, Lucknow. Having made quick work of their opponents in Dharamsala with a 7‑wicket win in a rain‑marred contest, India will be eager to wrap up the series even faster on a surface that offers plenty of assistance to seamers.
The batting unit looks stacked with skipper Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and Rohit Sharma forming a formidable top order. Their ability to adapt to conditions and accelerate in the middle overs will be key to setting or chasing down a competitive total.
On the bowling front, Arshdeep Singh will lead the attack, exploiting the seam‑friendly conditions. He will be supported by Prasidh Krishna and debutant Gurnoor Brar, who impressed with a three‑wicket haul in his maiden outing. With this balanced combination, India will look to dominate once again and secure an unassailable 2–0 lead in the series, reinforcing their supremacy in home conditions.
Afghanistan’s batting frailties were once again exposed in the opening ODI against India, where only Rahmanullah Gurbaz stood tall with a brilliant century. His lone effort highlighted the gulf in quality, as the rest of the batting unit crumbled under pressure. For Afghanistan to mount a serious challenge in Lucknow, they will need far more support around Gurbaz, with senior players like Rahmat Shah and Hashmatullah Shahidi expected to step up.
Equally concerning was their bowling performance. Rashid Khan, usually their trump card, looked ordinary, failing to trouble India’s batters. Fellow spinner Allah Ghazanfar also struggled to make an impact, leaving Afghanistan without their usual spin bite. Against a strong Indian lineup featuring Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul, Afghanistan’s bowlers must rediscover their rhythm quickly.
To put up a great fight, Afghanistan will need a collective performance, disciplined bowling, sharper fielding, and consistent batting contributions beyond Gurbaz. While history and conditions favor India, Afghanistan’s challenge lies in proving they can rise above their inconsistencies and push the six‑time Asian giants harder than they did in Dharamsala. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 5 AFG won: 0 IND won: 4 Tie: 1 RECENT form AFGHANISTAN: NR W W W L RECENT form INDIA: W W L L W
After a win in the last game, Team India have stretched their lead to 4 wins against Afghanistan in ODIs. The Afghans are yet to defeat the Indian team across formats.
How will the two teams, i.e., India and Afghanistan, fare in the 2nd ODI? Let’s take a look.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Zia ur Rahman Sharifi, Allah Ghazanfar, Fareed Ahmad/Mohd Saleem
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 2nd ODI between India and Afghanistan at the Ekana Stadium, Lucknow.
The Ekana surface in Lucknow tends to slow down as the game progresses, bringing spinners into play. Batting becomes tougher in the second innings, making runs harder to chase. Captains winning the toss are likely to bat first, aiming to post 260+ and let their spinners dictate terms later.
The online live streaming of the 2nd ODI match of the Afghanistan tour of India will take place live on the JioHotstar app. The live TV coverage for this series will be available on the Star Sports 1, 2, and 3 channels.
Despite Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s individual brilliance in the last game, Afghanistan couldn’t get the better of India in the first ODI in Dharamasala. The hosts will once again start as the favorites against the Afghan’s who possess an inexperienced bowling lineup. India should start as the favorites and take an unassailable lead of 2-0 ahead of the final game of the series. Therefore, as per our prediction, the hosts, Team India, is expected to win the IND vs AFG 2nd ODI match.