The second ODI match between India and Afghanistan will be played on Wednesday, June 17 at Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, the match will start at 1:30 PM IST. India will aim to get another win and wrap up the three-match series, while Afghanistan need to win to keep their hopes alive and force a decider.
India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI: Venue Overview
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow is one of the major cricket venues in India. The stadium has a capacity of approximately 50,000 spectators and serves as the home ground of Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.
India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI: Pitch and weather report
The pitch at Ekana Stadium generally favors bowlers, especially spinners. The surface often becomes slick as the match progresses, making it more difficult to bat on. Usually, batsmen need to spend time at the crease before playing aggressive shots. The average first innings score in ODI matches at this venue is around 213.
Hot and dry conditions are expected in Lucknow during the match. The temperature can reach 40-41 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. There is no rain forecast, so the full 50 over match is expected to be played.
India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI: ODI records at venue
The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow has hosted nine ODIs since hosting its first 50-over international match in 2019. The venue has seen many close contests and has developed a reputation as one of the more challenging batting venues in India.
India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI: Average score of 1st innings
The average score of the first innings at Ekana Stadium is 213 runs. Unlike many high-scoring venues in India, batsmen generally need to spend time in the middle before playing aggressive shots.
Building partnerships and saving wickets often proves to be more important than maintaining a high scoring rate in the early stages of the innings. Spinners will play an important role in the middle overs of the match.
India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI: Average score of 2nd innings
Scoring becomes a little difficult in the second innings as the pitch becomes slower and the spinners get extra support. Once the ball starts gripping the surface the batsmen find it challenging to play freely.
The average score of the second innings at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow is around 223 runs. Teams chasing the target have a slight advantage at the venue, with many successful run chases completed around this mark.
India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI: On-field chase record
The teams batting second at Ekana Stadium have a slight advantage. Of the nine ODI matches played here, teams chasing the target have won five matches, while teams batting first have won four matches.
Captains may prefer to bowl first after winning the toss, as knowing the target can help teams chase more effectively on a surface where conditions often remain the same throughout the match.
India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI: Highest team score at the venue
South Africa registered the highest ODI score by scoring 311/7 against Australia during the 2023 ODI World Cup at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. The Proteas displayed excellent batting on a ground that is generally a favorite of the bowlers.
This is the only score of over 300 made in ODI cricket at this ground and well above the venue’s average first innings score of 213 runs.
India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI: Lowest team total at the venue
England recorded the lowest ODI score at the Ekana Stadium during the 2023 ODI World Cup by scoring 129 runs against India. India’s bowlers made the best of the conditions and maintained constant pressure on the batsmen throughout the innings.
England never managed to build a partnership as the surface provided ample support to the bowlers. This collapse showed how challenging batting at this venue can be when bowlers maintain disciplined lines and make full use of the support provided by the pitch.
India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI: Important venue statistics
India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI: Pitch report verdict
The Ekana Stadium pitch is expected to help both the batsmen and bowlers, but the spinners may have more influence as the match progresses. The surface generally becomes slower during the second innings, making stroke play more challenging.
It is likely that teams would prefer to chase the target, as the team batting second has won five of the nine ODIs played at this venue. Dew is unlikely to play a major role, with humidity levels expected to remain relatively low in the evening.
The spinners of both the teams can maintain good control and grip on the ball throughout the match. Considering the nature of the surface, a score of around 240-260 in the first innings in Lucknow could prove to be highly competitive.
