One of the most interesting and eagerly awaited series that is just about to undergo live is the one day segment of Afghanistan’s tour of India. But one could argue that it’s not just certain key player’s absence that makes some headlines in this particular series even as that means that India are going to start the contests without four key names, such as Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd Siraj, Hardik Pandya and even the great Virat Kohli. It’s the sheer bench strength and massive availability of a rich talent pool comprising names such as Rohit Sharma, Abhishek Sharma, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Sharma among the others that’s set to hand India the significant advantage besides the obvious home advantage they already have at their disposal.
Furthermore, what’s set to perhaps favour the hosts India is also the very fact that at the present moment, it is India who have their nose ahead of their on field opponents, Afghanistan. Not only have India begun their series on a winning note smashing the visitors by an innings and 300 runs in the recent one-off Test, the India team is also contesting with a significant ODI winning experience as far as the tussles between the two sides are concerned.
How so? Of the four games that have happened in the fifty over format between the two, India have emerged victorious on 3 separate occasions with Afghanistan haven’t won a game as on date.
It’s interesting to think that all of that’s happened as on date. And cricket is a very different ball game altogether whenever newer challenges spring to life. So this leaves us with a big question after all. Could all of what’s happened in the past be after all, a thing of the past and today’s game come under a bit of a cloud, literally speaking?
What are we even talking about! Confused? Well, don’t be. Here’s what is to be noted.
Well, according to a latest weather report that was carried by noted publication Yahoo, “Heavy rain and thunderstorms are threatening to delay or wash out the first ODI between India and Afghanistan in Dharamsala. A meteorological "yellow alert" is currently in effect for the region, with precipitation chances hovering around 50–70% during the afternoon, accompanied by cool temperatures between 12°C and 18°C.”
If today’s contest is indeed a washout, it will, besides being a real sour experience for fans all over the globe, offer a jolt of sorts for both sides. But, how so?
For starters, the series offers a great scope to both India and Afghanistan to practice and enhance their game and performances in the fifty over arena or format especially ahead of the big approaching 2027 men’s ODI World Cup.
The other reason being that, either side will lose out on the big chance to accrue points in the series.
But all of that said, here’s what is concerning- There is a 70–90% probability of rain, making severe delays or a complete washout a distinct possibility during the first half of the day.
