The first One Day International (ODI) between India and Afghanistan at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala faced a delay due to persistent rainfall. The toss, originally scheduled for 1:30 PM IST, was postponed as covers remained on the pitch and outfield. Ground staff worked tirelessly to manage the conditions, but steady drizzle prevented any immediate start.
Weather Forecast and Impact
According to local meteorological reports, Dharamsala has been experiencing overcast skies with intermittent showers throughout the morning. The forecast suggests a possibility of further rain in the afternoon, raising concerns about a reduced overs match or even a complete washout. The HPCA Stadium, known for its scenic backdrop of the Dhauladhar ranges, is notorious for unpredictable weather, often affecting matches in the region.
Team Preparations
Both teams arrived at the venue earlier in the day, with players seen engaging in light warm-ups indoors. India, led by Rohit Sharma, aims to continue their dominant form in ODI cricket, while Afghanistan, under Hashmatullah Shahidi, looks to challenge the hosts. The squads are yet to be finalized, as the toss delay leaves team compositions uncertain.
India's Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami.
Afghanistan's Probable XI: Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq.
Match Officials
The umpires for the match are Nitin Menon and Chris Gaffaney, with Javagal Srinath serving as the match referee. They will conduct periodic inspections to assess conditions.
Fans eagerly await updates, with hopes that the weather clears for an exciting contest. The series is part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League, adding importance to each match.
