Today, on June 17, an ODI match will be played between India and Afghanistan at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow at 1:30 pm. Fast bowlers can get good bounce in the initial overs on the red clay-mix pitch. Spinners are also likely to get help from the wicket, as the ball may stay for a while during bowling. It is very hot in Lucknow right now; The heat is being felt since morning. The maximum temperature today may exceed 42 degrees Celsius, which is the highest so far in June. Humidity level is expected to be between 60% to 25%. The day before the match, on the evening of June 16, players from both teams practiced vigorously; Especially Rohit Sharma was seen bowling.
**Both teams have won one match each in Ekana**
An interesting statistic has emerged before the ODI match between India and Afghanistan. While cricket experts and fans consider the Indian team to be stronger on paper, Afghanistan has the upper hand in terms of experience of playing on the same ground. Afghanistan has played four ODI matches at the Ekana Stadium so far, winning one and losing three. In contrast, the Indian team has played only two ODI matches at this ground, with a record of one win and one loss.
**Both teams had won during the 2023 World Cup**
Both India and Afghanistan have fond memories of past matches played at the Ekana Stadium, as both teams won their respective matches there during the 2023 ODI World Cup. India had performed brilliantly against England in Ekana, winning by 100 runs; In that match, Indian bowlers had destroyed England’s strong batting lineup. Afghanistan also defeated Netherlands by seven wickets on the same ground. This victory boosted the confidence of the Afghanistan team, which enabled them to challenge many big teams during the tournament.
**Afghanistan players trained in Ekana in 2019**
The Afghanistan cricket team has been associated with the Ekana Stadium for a long time. When the Afghanistan cricket team was making its mark at the international level, they had to look for other grounds to practice due to the lack of necessary cricket facilities at home. In 2019, at the request of the Afghanistan Cricket Board, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) made the Ekana Stadium available as a training ground for the Afghan team. The team trained there for about four to five months. During this period, Test, ODI and T20 matches between Afghanistan and West Indies were also played at Ekana; As a result, many Afghan players are aware of the conditions there. Furthermore, many Afghan players have also played in Ekana during IPL matches.
**Both teams want to take advantage of the same pitch**
The same pitch is often the subject of discussion. The fast bowlers may get help in the initial overs, while the batsmen may find it easier to score runs as the game progresses. The Indian team has the advantage of experienced batsmen and a strong bowling attack. In contrast, Afghanistan are known for their spin bowling, and the pitch conditions may provide additional support to their spinners. In this match, Indian batsmen will have to face the challenge of Afghanistan’s spin attack.
Team combination will be decided after seeing the pitch
Sai Raj told that the conditions here are very different from Dharamshala and the weather is a bit hot. On the question of including Kuldeep Yadav in the team, he said that he will take stock of the pitch before deciding the bowling combination.
Rohit Sharma is important for the team
Talking about the importance of the current series and Rohit Sharma’s participation in the 2027 World Cup, the coach described him as a very experienced and champion player. He makes important contributions to the team not only with his batting but also with his leadership quality; Young players like Shubhman Gill learn a lot from him.
Weather is no hindrance for professional players
When asked about adjusting to the heat of Lucknow after the cold of Dharamshala, he said that professional players are used to playing in different conditions and weather. He described Ekana Stadium as a beautiful venue and said that players focus on their performance and game rather than the weather.
A period of change for spinners
Answering a question asked about spin bowlers, he admitted that Ravindra Jadeja and R. Reaching the heights of experienced players like Ashwin is not an easy task. However, he said this is a period of change for young spinners like Manav Suthar, Saransh Jain and Shivang. Players who have the right skills and abilities will be given opportunities.
KL Rahul can bat at any position
The bowling coach praised KL Rahul’s batting position at number 5. He described Rahul as a brilliant player who can quickly adapt to any format or situation. Whether he is sent to bat at number 5 or anywhere else, Rahul knows how to play as per the needs of the team and is an important member of the team for the upcoming World Cup.
Afghanistan captain: Weather is no excuse
Afghanistan cricket team captain Hashmatullah Shahidi held a press conference in Lucknow. After the defeat in the first match, captain Shahidi talked openly about the shortcomings of the team, the Lucknow pitch and his strategy. When Shahidi was asked about the possible changes in the playing XI and the strategy for the second match, he joked, “If I tell everything now, what fun will it be to play tomorrow? If you want to know the strategy, meet me in private.”
He made it clear that no one can make excuses for weather or conditions in international cricket. Shahidi also expressed deep grief over the demise of teammate Darwish Rasooli’s father and said that Rasooli has rejoined the team during this difficult time.
**Losing consecutive wickets in the first match was a big mistake**
Speaking on the defeat in the first ODI, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said, “We played good cricket in the first match, but made mistakes at some places. We lost wickets at regular intervals and could only build a strong partnership. We need to improve on this in the second ODI. We have discussed our mistakes and hopefully we will see a good partnership in the next match.”
**Lucknow is like home ground for us, but India has played more matches here**
Responding to a question about Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium, Shahidi laughed and said, “Lucknow has been Afghanistan’s home ground; we have played matches here against West Indies and during the 2023 World Cup. The conditions here are a bit slow and spin-friendly. Although the Indian team has played more matches here than us, we are aware of the conditions here and will make a strategy based on our strengths.”
**On the scorching heat of Lucknow: Jalalabad also experiences the same heat**
The Afghan captain gave a very practical answer to the scorching heat and humidity of Lucknow. He said, “Cricket is a game played in summer. When you play international cricket, you cannot make an excuse about the weather. There are places like Jalalabad in our country where the heat is as hot as Lucknow. Our players are mentally strong and prepared for any situation.”
