India vs Afghanistan weather alert: Thunderstorms and hail threat loom over Dharamsala ODI opener
Rain and thunderstorms are expected to dominate attention as India face Afghanistan in the opening match of their three-ODI series at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Saturday. The game marks the start of India’s buildup toward the 2027 ODI World Cup, but weather conditions may become the biggest talking point of the day.
Shubman Gill’s India come into the series after a dominant innings-and-300-run win over Afghanistan in the one-off Test in Mullanpur. However, the ODI squad is already dealing with major absences. Virat Kohli has been ruled out because of a hamstring injury, while Hardik Pandya will miss the entire series after suffering a leg sprain. Their absence leaves India short of two experienced options as they begin a new phase under Gill’s captaincy.
The India Meteorological Department has warned of unsettled weather across Himachal Pradesh through June 16. An orange alert was issued for June 12, with forecasts of thunderstorms, hail and gusty winds in several parts of the state. A yellow alert will remain in place from June 13 to June 16, with the possibility of rain, thunderstorms and lightning at isolated locations. For the match day in Dharamsala, light rain is expected, along with around a 55 percent chance of precipitation. Temperatures are likely to range between 12°C and 18°C.
The forecast has raised concern among fans and organizers, as any heavy rain could interrupt play and potentially bring the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method into use if overs are lost. Dharamsala, known for its scenic mountain setting, often experiences weather-related uncertainty, and Saturday’s ODI is no exception.
India will be hoping for a full game as they look to build momentum in the first of three matches against Afghanistan. The second ODI is scheduled for June 17 in Lucknow, followed by the series finale in Chennai on June 20. The series is expected to offer India a chance to test combinations and assess younger players as part of their long-term planning for the next World Cup.
The India squad includes Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna and Prince Yadav. Afghanistan’s squad features Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Nangeyalia Kharoti, AM Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, Darwish Rasooli, Fareed Ahmad Malik and Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi.
