The ODI series may already be decided, but India still have plenty to gain from the third and final match against Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.
The focus could once again be on players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harsh Dubey. While Ishan Kishan has strengthened his case with a superb hundred in Lucknow, Jaiswal will be desperate for runs after a disappointing outing in the second ODI. Harshit Rana has also linked up with the squad and could make his first appearance since recovering from injury.
India’s assistant coach has already revealed that Arshdeep Singh could be rested, while Reddy is likely to come back in after an injury in 2nd ODI.
However, weather could have a major say in how much cricket is played at Chepauk. Forecasts suggest there is a possibility of rain during the afternoon hours. While a complete washout appears unlikely at this stage, passing showers could result in delays or a shortened game.
Match Details: India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI
- Match: India vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI
- Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Date: June 20, 2026
- Time: 1:30 PM IST
India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI Weather Forecast: Hourly Rain Prediction in Chennai
| Time (IST) | Temperature | Chance of Rain |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 PM | 36°C | 49% |
| 2:00 PM | 35°C | 53% |
| 3:00 PM | 39°C | 55% |
| 4:00 PM | 34°C | 24% |
| 5:00 PM | 32°C | 19% |
| 6:00 PM | 32°C | 18% |
| 7:00 PM | 32°C | 16% |
| 8:00 PM | 31°C | 16% |
| 9:00 PM | 31°C | 16% |
| 10:00 PM | 30°C | 16% |
| 11:00 PM | 30°C | 16% |
The highest threat of rain is expected during the first half of the afternoon, particularly between 1 PM and 3 PM when precipitation chances remain above 50 percent. The forecast improves significantly as the evening progresses, which should encourage both teams and fans hoping for a full contest.
Will Rain Interrupt the India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI?
There is a realistic possibility of rain affecting portions of the match, especially around the scheduled start time. The good news for cricket fans is that rain probabilities drop after 4 PM. In the series opener in Dharamsala, we had a start nearly at 5:45 PM IST, with the match getting reduced to a 25-over affair. So, we might just not have an abandoned game at Chepauk.
Should rain interrupt the India vs Afghanistan third ODI, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method will be used to calculate revised targets in a shortened contest. There is no reserve day scheduled for the match.
India Looking to Test Bench Strength
With the series already in the bag, India are expected to make multiple changes to their playing XI. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that the team management intends to continue experimenting with combinations.
The series has already produced several positives. Ishan Kishan announced his return in style with a century in Lucknow, while captain Shubman Gill impressed at No. 3 in Virat Kohli’s absence. Young pacer Gurnoor Brar has also caught the eye with his pace and bounce. Saturday’s clash could provide further opportunities to players such as Yashasvi Jaiswal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Prince Yadav and Harsh Dubey as India continue building squad depth ahead of future ICC events.
