Daijiworld Media Network - Dharamshala

Dharamshala, Jun 13: Persistent rain forced a delay in the toss for the opening One-Day International between India National Cricket Team and Afghanistan National Cricket Team at the HPCA Stadium on Friday, casting uncertainty over the start of the much-anticipated contest.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed that adverse weather conditions had prevented the toss from taking place as scheduled. Rain has dominated the build-up to the match, with Dharamshala witnessing showers over the last two days as well as on the eve of the game.

Weather forecasts indicated the possibility of continued rain through the afternoon, although conditions were expected to improve later in the evening. Even if the rainfall subsides, the eventual start time will depend on how quickly the outfield and pitch can be made match-ready.

The three-match ODI series carries significant importance for India as the team begins preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

India, led by Shubman Gill, enter the series without two key players. Virat Kohli has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, while Hardik Pandya is unavailable because of a leg injury.

There was positive news for the hosts, however, as former captain Rohit Sharma successfully completed his fitness assessment at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru and is expected to partner Gill at the top of the batting order.

With Kohli unavailable, India's think tank is expected to use the series to evaluate options for the crucial No. 3 position. According to bowling coach Morne Morkel, players including KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan are being considered for the role.

The conditions in Dharamshala traditionally favour pace bowlers, especially with the new ball, making the toss an important factor. The presence of moisture due to rain could further assist seam movement, potentially influencing team strategies in a shortened contest.

Historically, the venue has produced mixed results. During the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, three of the five ODIs played at Dharamshala were won by teams batting first.

India also hold a strong record against Afghanistan in the ODI format, having won all three previous bilateral encounters. The only non-result between the sides came during the 2018 Asia Cup, where the match ended in a dramatic tie.