The opening One-Day International (ODI) between India and Afghanistan at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala was significantly affected by persistent rain, delaying the scheduled toss and start of play.
The toss, originally scheduled for 1:00 PM IST, could not take place as steady showers kept the covers firmly on the pitch and outfield. Dark clouds hovered over the picturesque venue throughout the afternoon, forcing ground staff to remain on standby while using super soppers to remove excess water whenever the rain eased.
Despite the interruptions, thousands of spectators stayed in the stands, hoping for an improvement in weather conditions. Match officials continued to monitor the situation closely as fans awaited further updates from the venue.
As the delay extended, the possibility of a reduced-overs contest increased. Conditions later improved sufficiently for preparations to resume, with the toss rescheduled for 5:15 PM IST and the revised start time set for 5:45 PM IST. The match was expected to be shortened to a 25-overs-per-side contest if no further rain interrupted play.
The ODI series marks an important phase in India’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, with Shubman Gill leading the side. Afghanistan, meanwhile, arrived eager to challenge the hosts and secure a memorable result in Indian conditions.
Weather forecasts for Dharamsala had earlier warned of thunderstorms and intermittent rainfall, raising concerns that the match could face major disruptions. An orange weather alert had also been issued for the region.
