India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI Prediction, Pitch Report & Match Preview
India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI Match Prediction: Can India Complete the Clean Sweep?
The three-match ODI series between India and Afghanistan has reached its final stage. The third and last ODI will be played at the iconic M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, popularly known as Chepauk.
India have already sealed the series with an unassailable 2-0 lead. The Men in Blue won the opening ODI by seven wickets and followed it up with a dominant 170-run victory in the second match after posting a mammoth total of 402 runs.
The hosts will now aim for a 3-0 clean sweep, while Afghanistan will be desperate to salvage some pride and finish the tour on a positive note.
India Team Preview
India have looked outstanding throughout the series and have dominated Afghanistan in all departments.
Captain Shubman Gill has been in sensational form. After scoring 84 runs in the first ODI, he smashed a brilliant 154 off just 110 deliveries in the second match, registering his second consecutive century.
Ishan Kishan has also been exceptional with the bat. The wicketkeeper-batter blasted 125 runs from just 79 balls in the previous game, including 14 boundaries and seven sixes.
Veteran opener Rohit Sharma has provided solid starts in both matches but is yet to convert them into a big score. The Chennai ODI could be the perfect opportunity for him to play a match-winning innings.
KL Rahul has performed his role as a finisher effectively, while Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal add further depth and firepower to the batting lineup.
India Bowling Preview
India’s bowling attack has been equally impressive.
Tall fast bowler Gurnoor Brar has emerged as one of the stars of the series with six wickets in two matches.
Arshdeep Singh has consistently provided breakthroughs with the new ball and has picked up five wickets so far.
The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar can control the middle overs and also strike at crucial moments.
Considering the spin-friendly conditions at Chepauk, India’s spinners could play a decisive role once again.
Afghanistan Team Preview
It has been a difficult series for Afghanistan so far.
Their batting has looked heavily dependent on Rahmanullah Gurbaz. The explosive opener smashed a century from just 51 deliveries in the first ODI and once again gave his team a flying start in the second game.
However, once Gurbaz departed, Afghanistan struggled to maintain momentum.
Rahmat Shah has contributed with useful innings, but his strike rate has been relatively slow.
Ibrahim Zadran, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, and the rest of the middle order have failed to make a significant impact in the series.
Afghanistan Bowling Preview
In the bowling department, Rashid Khan remains Afghanistan’s biggest match-winner.
The star leg-spinner has taken four wickets in two matches while maintaining excellent economy.
Young spinner Nangeyalia Kharote impressed in the previous game with a four-wicket haul.
Allah Ghazanfar and Mohammad Saleem possess wicket-taking ability with the new ball.
However, the Afghanistan bowlers have struggled to contain India’s in-form batting lineup and have frequently found themselves under pressure.
M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Pitch Report
The Chepauk pitch generally offers good batting conditions early in the innings.
Fast bowlers can expect some swing and extra bounce with the new ball. However, as the game progresses, the surface tends to slow down and gradually starts assisting the spinners.
The average first-innings score in the last six ODIs at this venue has been around 259 runs.
A total between 260 and 280 runs is generally considered competitive at Chepauk.
Pitch Summary
- Good batting conditions initially
- Assistance for pacers with the new ball
- Increasing help for spinners as the match progresses
- Average first-innings score: 259 runs
- Competitive score: 260-280 runs
Chennai Weather Report
The weather in Chennai is expected to remain hot and humid.
The temperature is likely to hover between 34°C and 36°C throughout the day. A light sea breeze is expected, and there is no significant threat of rain.
Fans are likely to enjoy a full 50-over contest without weather interruptions.
Toss Prediction
Captains generally prefer batting first at Chepauk.
The pitch tends to become slower during the second innings, making run chases slightly more challenging.
Therefore, the team winning the toss is expected to opt to bat first.
Toss Winner Prediction
India
Players to Watch
India
⭐ Shubman Gill
⭐ Ishan Kishan
⭐ Rohit Sharma
⭐ Gurnoor Brar
⭐ Arshdeep Singh
Afghanistan
⭐ Rahmanullah Gurbaz
⭐ Rashid Khan
⭐ Rahmat Shah
⭐ Nangeyalia Kharote
⭐ Ibrahim Zadran
Best Batter Prediction
🏏 Shubman Gill
Gill is in exceptional form and has already produced two outstanding innings in the series. He will once again be India’s biggest batting threat at Chepauk.
Best Bowler Prediction
🎯 Rashid Khan
The Chennai surface traditionally assists spin bowling, making Rashid Khan a major threat. He has the ability to trouble India’s middle order and could be Afghanistan’s standout performer.
India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI Match Prediction
Afghanistan undoubtedly possess talented players, but their batting unit has looked overly dependent on Rahmanullah Gurbaz.
India, on the other hand, have batting depth, multiple players in excellent form, and a well-balanced bowling attack.
If India manage to dismiss Gurbaz early, Afghanistan could once again struggle to post a competitive total.
The hosts appear stronger in every department and will also enjoy the advantage of familiar home conditions.
Final Prediction
✅ Toss Winner – India
✅ Most Runs – Shubman Gill
✅ Most Wickets – Rashid Khan
✅ Player of the Match – Shubman Gill
✅ Match Winner – India
Prediction: India are favourites to win the third ODI and complete a dominant 3-0 series clean sweep over Afghanistan.
Who do you think will win the final ODI? Share your prediction in the comments below!