India Face Afghanistan in ODI Series Opener at Dharamsala With Kohli Sidelined by Hamstring Injury

The first ODI between India national cricket team and Afghanistan national cricket team is set to take place on Saturday as part of the three-match series at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium. India enter the contest after a dominant performance in the one-off Test, and will look to carry forward that momentum into the limited-overs format. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will aim to bounce back and challenge the hosts in the opening match of the series.

The match will be played on June 13, 2026, with proceedings scheduled at the scenic HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The toss is set to take place at 1:00 PM IST, while the first ball of the ODI will be bowled at 1:30 PM IST. The venue is expected to offer lively conditions, adding interest to the opening game of the series.

For India, attention will be on skipper Shubman Gill as he leads the side in another bilateral series. Experienced opener Rohit Sharma has regained full fitness after recovering from a hamstring niggle during the IPL, strengthening India’s top order options. However, senior batter Virat Kohli will miss the series due to a hamstring injury, creating a notable gap in the batting lineup.

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The series is also being viewed as an important preparation phase ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, with India scheduled to play around 25 ODIs before the tournament. Head coach Gautam Gambhir will be working closely with Gill to test combinations, assess bench strength, and refine team balance. The focus will be on building a stable core while giving opportunities to emerging players.

From a broadcast perspective, the India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network across India. Fans can also follow the live streaming of the match on the JioHotstar app and website. Broadcasters have confirmed full coverage of the series, including pre-match build-up and analysis.

With both teams looking to set the tone for the series, the opening ODI is expected to provide a competitive contest under Dharamsala’s conditions. India will aim to assert early dominance at home, while Afghanistan will look to produce an upset and gain early momentum in the three-match battle.

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