India vs Afghanistan ODI delayed by rain in Dharamsala

Last updated: June 13, 2026, 5:45 p.m. IST

Rain covers sat across the HPCA Stadium outfield as the Dhauladhar range disappeared behind low clouds, turning a high-profile cricket afternoon into a waiting game. The first ODI between India and Afghanistan in Dharamsala was delayed after persistent showers pushed back both the toss and the start of play. The match is the opener of a three-match series and the first bilateral ODI series ever played between the two countries. India entered as the favourite, but the delay immediately made weather, ground conditions and reduced-overs calculations part of the story.

How Events Unfolded

The toss was delayed because of rain, with groundstaff covering the pitch and square area while parts of the outfield had already taken rain through the morning. According to The Tribune's report from Dharamsala, umpires were expected to inspect the ground once the rain eased, and a curtailed match became possible if rain continued after 2:30 p.m.

Later, the update from Sporting News said the toss was scheduled for 5:15 p.m. IST and the match for 5:45 p.m. IST. The same report listed 6:32 p.m. IST as the minimum cut-off time for a 20-over match, making every break in the weather valuable.

For India, the match carries extra weight because it is their first 50-over assignment since hosting New Zealand in January. Shubman Gill is leading a squad that includes Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Washington Sundar, while Yashasvi Jaiswal returns to the ODI format.

Afghanistan arrived with a sharper recent ODI rhythm. The AP report carried by Winnipeg Free Press said India had lost three of their past five ODIs, while Afghanistan had won four in a row.

Digging Deeper

This series is more than a fixture gap-filler. The Sporting News described it as important preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup for both sides. For India, that means testing a fresh-looking one-day group under Gill while still leaning on senior names. For Afghanistan, it is a rare bilateral stage against a team they have never beaten in ODIs.

The head-to-head context is stark. India and Afghanistan had met only in World Cups and Asia Cups in the one-day format before this series, with India winning three of four and the other ending in a tie. That record explains why India started as the favourite, but Afghanistan's four-match ODI winning streak gives the fixture a sharper edge.

The weather also changes the cricket. Rain and breezy conditions can help fast bowlers, especially if the ball moves more in cooler air. The Tribune reported that the wicket was expected to be batting-friendly, but the toss became more important because captains had to weigh pitch moisture, outfield speed and possible interruptions.

What People Are Saying

Before the match, Dharamsala's build-up mixed sport, tourism and local tradition. Former Union Minister and MP Anurag Thakur joined HPCA office-bearers at the Indrunag Temple, where prayers were offered before the fixture, a practice The Tribune described as part of the city's cricket culture.

From its humble beginnings to becoming one of the most admired cricket venues in the world, Dharamsala has showcased the beauty, culture and hospitality of Himachal Pradesh to millions across the globe. International matches have generated employment, strengthened tourism and brought immense pride to the people of the state.

Fans and tourists had a more immediate concern: plans built around the match were being reshaped by the rain. Doraha resident Kamlesh Mahajan told The Tribune his family had kept one day of an extended Dharamsala weekend for cricket, but the downpour forced a change of schedule.

We had planned an extended weekend trip to Dharamsala with one day reserved for the match, but rain has taken away this opportunity.

Putting It in Perspective

For Canadian cricket fans following early-morning updates, the delay affects more than curiosity about a faraway fixture. India and Afghanistan both have large diaspora followings in Canada, and matches like this often become community viewing moments, even when the action starts at an awkward hour.

The sporting stakes are also different from last week's one-off Test, where India completed an innings and 300-run win inside three days. Afghanistan struggled with India's spinners in that format, but ODIs move the contest into white-ball cricket, where Afghanistan's recent form and Rashid Khan's return make them harder to dismiss.

Sporting News listed India's win probability at 80% and Afghanistan's at 20%. Those numbers reflect India's depth and record in the matchup, but a shortened game can compress the gap. Fewer overs can reward aggressive batting, sharper fielding and one decisive spell.

Looking Ahead

The immediate next step is simple: officials need enough playable time and a safe outfield. The toss update put the match on course for a delayed start, while the 20-over cut-off time set the practical limit for whether the opener could still produce a result.

The series is scheduled to continue with the second ODI in Lucknow on June 17 and the third in Chennai on June 20. If Dharamsala produces a shortened match or no full contest, those two games will carry even more weight in deciding the series and testing both squads ahead of longer World Cup planning.