India vs Afghanistan ODI delayed due to rain in Dharamshala

Dark clouds hover over the HPCA Stadium ( PTI Photo/Kamal Kishore)

Rain continues to have the final say in Dharamshala as the start of the opening ODI between India and Afghanistan remains delayed. The drizzle has shown little sign of relenting and, with conditions refusing to improve, overs have already begun to be reduced from the scheduled contest. The cut-off time for a 20-over game has been set at 6:32 pm, keeping alive hopes of some cricket despite the gloomy conditions. There has been little activity on the field, while the Indian players have been keeping themselves entertained inside the dressing room as everyone waits for a break in the weather. The toss has not taken place yet, with the BCCI confirming the delay earlier in the day. Rain has been a constant feature in Dharamshala over the past two days and also affected preparations on the eve of the match. Forecasts suggest the weather could improve later in the evening, although much will depend on how quickly the outfield drains once the rain stops. The three-match ODI series carries significance for India as they continue building towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. Shubman Gill's side is without Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya due to injuries, while Rohit Sharma has recovered in time and is expected to open the batting. India's think tank is also likely to experiment with the No. 3 position in Kohli's absence. Historically, India have enjoyed success against Afghanistan in ODIs, winning all three completed matches between the two sides, while another encounter ended in a tie during the 2018 Asia Cup.

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