Prince Yadav To Replace Prasidh Krishna? India's Predicted Playing XI Vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI- 2026

Prasidh Krishna failed in 1st ODI Vs Afghanistan [Source: AFP]

With India defeating Afghanistan to take a 1-0 lead in the series, the caravan shifts towards the second ODI as the two sides will lock horns at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. The Shubman Gill-led side will aim to seal the series on Wednesday, while the Afghans would hope to make a comeback.

The India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI was a rain-curtailed match, and the contest was reduced to a 25-over per side affair as the visitors batted first in Dharamsala.

The Afghanistan side scored 195 runs, and it was a one-man show as Rahmanullah Gurbaz slammed a 48-ball ton to punish the Indian bowlers. He was the lone warrior for his side as the team reached a decent total. 

In reply, the Indian batters made a mockery of the target as captain Shubman Gill remained unbeaten at 84 off 66 balls, and the hosts won the contest by 7 wickets. 

The Indian side will look to continue their domination in the second ODI, and here is how the team should lineup for the second game of the series.

India playing XI Vs Afghanistan, 2nd ODI 2026

Openers and top order: Shubman Gill(c), Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w)

The top three are easy to pick as captain Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Ishan Kishan will play in the top three in the second ODI match vs Afghanistan. Gill scored a match-winning fifty in the first ODI, and he’ll be oozing with confidence.

Rohit was run out in the last ODI, and the veteran batter will hope to score some runs and gain much-needed confidence. With Virat Kohli out, Ishan Kishan, who batted at number 3 will continue to bat at the same position as India possesses a destructive top three.

Middle order batters and all-rounders: Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy

India’s middle-order was not tested against Afghanistan in the first ODI, and just like the top order, the middle-order players will be eager to spend some time out in the middle. Shreyas Iyer will bat at number 4, followed by KL Rahul, who was majestic in the first ODI against Afghanistan.

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Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar will need to take the finishing responsibility, especially Nitish Reddy, who has long been touted as Hardik Pandya’s replacement.

Bowlers: Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav

Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar impressed on their ODI debut in the first game of the series, and the duo will once again be trusted to take the Afghan wickets.

However, the team could make one key change by handing yet another debut cap. Prasidh Krishna was average in the first ODI, and was taken to the cleaners. Instead of playing him once again, India can make Prince Yadav make his ODI debut.

Prince is quick, and he can trouble the Afghans with his sheer pace. On the other hand, Arshdeep Singh will be the third pacer in the side, and thus, only one change is expected from the Indian team for the second ODI.

India's predicted XI for 2nd ODI Vs Afghanistan

Shubman Gill(c), Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan(w), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav

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