India Faces Afghanistan in 3rd ODI at Chennai Amid Rain Threat
India faces Afghanistan in the final ODI at Chennai, aiming for a series whitewash after securing a 2-0 lead.
Key Highlights
- India holds an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
- All-rounder Harshit Rana returns to the squad following injury rehabilitation.
- Heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecast for Saturday afternoon in Chennai.
- The red-soil pitch at Chepauk is expected to offer bounce and spin assistance.
India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI, Live Updates: India will challenge Afghanistan in the third and final match of the bilateral series on Saturday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
The hosts secured an unassailable 2-0 lead following a commanding 170-run victory in the second fixture.
For the series finale, pace bowler Harshit Rana re-enters the selection mix after recovering from an injury. Rana finished his rehabilitation program at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (COE) before joining the squad.
Additional attention remains on veteran opener Rohit Sharma, who is searching for a major score after failing to capitalize in the opening two encounters.
India vs Afghanistan 2026 3rd ODI: After a rain-hit first game in Dharamshala, the wet weather has followed Team India to Chennai for the final game against Afghanistan at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday.
The opening match in Dharamshala was shortened to 25-overs-a-side due to persistent precipitation. A similar weather pattern threatens the finale, with thunderstorms predicted for Saturday afternoon.
The Indian squad arrives after enduring temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius during Wednesday’s match in Lucknow. Centurions Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan suffered severe cramps during their double-century partnership.
Conditions in Chennai will be cooler at 35 degrees Celsius, though humidity will reach 67% during the daytime.
Meteorologists project a 55% chance of rain and a 33% probability of thunderstorms, accompanied by 76% cloud cover.
Check Chennai weather update for India vs Afghanistan 2026 3rd ODI HERE
Evening humidity will climb to 80% with 78% cloud cover over the Tamil Nadu capital.
The match takes place on pitch number 4, a red-soil surface expected to provide extra bounce for the fast bowlers.
Afghanistan aims to maximize these conditions using slow bowlers Rashid Khan and Allah Ghazanfar on a traditionally spin-friendly surface.
Afghanistan fielding coach John Mooney stated that the team hopes their secondary spinners step up to support Rashid Khan.
India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI Match Details
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | India vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI |
| Series | Afghanistan Tour of India 2026 |
| Date | June 20, 2026 |
| Venue | MA Chidambaram Stadium |
| Start Time (IST) | 1:30 PM IST |
IND vs AFG: Chennai Weather Update Ahead Of 3rd ODI
Rain probabilities exceed 50% between 2 PM and 3 PM on Saturday. While evening conditions may improve, overcast skies will persist throughout the scheduled hours.
IND vs AFG Toss Prediction, 3rd ODI: Who Will Win Todayβs Match Toss Between India and Afghanistan at Chepauk?
Indian captain Shubman Gill is tipped to win the toss and elect to bowl first to exploit the overcast conditions.
IND vs AFG Prediction: Who Will Win Todayβs 3rd ODI Between India and Afghanistan?
India enters the finale as the heavy favorite to secure a 3-0 series victory, while Afghanistan plays for pride.
Head-to-Head and Fantasy Breakdown
India has won 5 of the 6 total ODI matches played between the two nations, with 1 match ending in a tie.
Shubman Gill remains a top fantasy pick after scoring 154 runs in the previous match, alongside bowler Gurnoor Brar who took 6 wickets across two games.
History of India vs Afghanistan ODIs
The cricketing rivalry between India and Afghanistan has been historically dominated by the Men in Blue since their first One Day International encounter. Out of their six total meetings in this format, India has maintained an unbeaten record with five victories. The most competitive balance achieved by Afghanistan occurred during the 2018 Asia Cup, where a thrilling contest concluded in a famous tie.
FAQs
What is the start time for the 3rd ODI between India and Afghanistan?
The match is scheduled to begin at 1:30 PM IST on June 20, 2026, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Which pitch is being used at Chepauk for this match?
The game will be played on pitch number 4, which is a red-soil track known for offering assistance to spin bowlers and providing extra bounce.
What are the weather predictions for the match in Chennai?
There is a 55% chance of rain and a 33% probability of thunderstorms in the afternoon, with humidity rising to 80% by the evening.
Has Harshit Rana been added to the Indian team?
Yes, all-rounder Harshit Rana has been added to the Indian ODI squad in Chennai after completing his injury rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence.
