Cricket

India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Preview & Tips - India to wrap up ODI series against Afghanistan with one game to spare

By Site Editor

3 hours ago

Site Editor 3 hours ago

Share this article

India lead the three-game series 1-0 with two matches to be played
Shubman Gill scored 84 not out in the first ODI
Preview, stats & head to head

India's Shubman Gill (Getty Images)

India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Preview & Tips
Head To Head
India Form
Afghanistan Form

India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI Preview & Tips

India stormed to a comfortable seven-wicket win over Afghanistan in the first ODI as they ensured they began their three-match series with a victory.

Afghanistan could not put India under nearly enough pressure with the ball as their bowlers combined for three wickets in the match.

Shubman Gill toped scored for India with an unbeaten 84
India have won their last three ODI's against Afghanistan

Head To Head

India have won four of their last five matches against Afghanistan, with the other ODI ending as a tie.

India Form

In a match that was restricted to 25-overs per side, India barely broke a swat as they skittled Afghanistan for 194 before easing to their target with seven wickets and 13 deliveries to spare.

With the ball, India struggled to deal with Rahmanullah Gurbaz (102 from 51), with the opener scoring more than half of the touring side's runs. The focus for India will be on ensuring he is removed early in the next two ODI's as they try to restrict the touring side. With the bat, Shubman Gill (84) starred with an innings that oozed class as he notched 11 boundaries and a pair of maximums.

Victory allowed India to get back to winning ways after losing their last two 50 over matches, while it kept their unbeaten run over Afghanistan in the format alive. Gill looked superb with the bat across his innings, and I back him to continue his supreme form in the middle as he leads his side to a series win.

Afghanistan Form

At 26/3, Afghanistan would have been worrying that they may struggle to make it to the 100-run mark, but Gurbaz's stunning 102 from 51 saw him smack the ball around at 200.00 as he led his side on the counter-attack.

Despite Gurbaz's heroics, he was given little help, with eight other batters removed for single-figure scores. With the ball, Afghanistan then struggled to make inroads, with their score of 194 not really enough to put true pressure on India's batters.

Rashid Khan's 1/37 from five overs saw him threaten as he bowled Ishan Kishan, while he also ran out Rohit Sharma. Khan has always been the main man for Afghanistan, but he cannot do it all himself, with the spinner in need of help from his batters and fellow bowlers.

With Afghanistan in need of a win to keep the series alive as a contest, they will look for a more solid batting performance, with this facet of their game poor in their opener. However, with India boasting a batting and bowling attack that will put the best under pressure, I am backing Afghanistan to slump to a defeat.

Verdict

India v Afghanistan 2nd ODI

I am backing Shubman Gill to top score once again as India surge into an unassailable 2-0 lead.

India

Match Winner

@-3333.3 - 1 Unit

25 SC no deposit & 250,000 GC

Use promo code NEWBONUS

Get 25 Stake Cash & 250,000 Gold Coins when you sign up with code NEWBONUS at Stake.us. USA only. Excludes certain States including NY,NV,ID, KY,WA. 18+ only. Terms and Conditions apply.

Bet at Stake.com

Shubman Gill

Top India Batsman

@250.00 - 1 Unit