The toss for the India vs. Afghanistan opening ODI at the HPCA Stadium will occur at 5:15 pm following a four-hour rain delay. The match, now a 25-overs-a-side contest, is scheduled to start at 5:45 pm. Due to heavy rain, each team is expected to have five bowlers bowling a maximum of five overs each, with a five-over batting powerplay.
Despite the rain causing a delay, players were seen warming up as conditions improved, bringing relief to spectators who feared the game might be washed out. The match’s buildup was overshadowed by continuous downpours in Dharamsala over the past few days, with uncertainty looming until the drainage capacity of the ground was tested.
India, led by Shubman Gill in the absence of Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya due to injuries, will see Rohit Sharma return after clearing his fitness test. With the number three position up for grabs in Kohli’s absence, the team is considering options like KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ishan Kishan. The pitch conditions in Dharamsala, traditionally favoring fast bowlers, have been affected by the rain, making the toss crucial due to the moisture.
India holds a 3-0 record against Afghanistan in ODIs, with one match ending in a tie during the 2018 Asia Cup. The game’s fate now rests on the weather conditions and the ground’s readiness after the rain delay.
