India and Afghanistan will square off in the third and final ODI of the series at the iconic MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, June 20. With the Men in Blue already securing the series 2-0, the focus now shifts to experimentation, squad rotation and finishing the series on a high.
India are expected to make a few changes to their playing XI, with Harshit Rana in contention for a return after completing rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be hoping to end the tour with a consolation win after being outplayed in the first two ODIs.
Ahead of the match, here's a look at the pitch conditions, weather forecast and key ODI records at Chepauk.
India vs Afghanistan MA Chidambaram Stadium Pitch Report
The MA Chidambaram Stadium has traditionally been regarded
as one of India's premier spin-friendly venues. However, ODI cricket at Chepauk has often produced balanced surfaces that offer assistance to both batters and bowlers.
The pitch is expected to be relatively flat for the series finale, allowing batters to play their shots freely during the first half of the innings. As the game progresses, spinners could come into play, particularly if the surface begins to wear.
Teams winning the toss may still prefer chasing, but unlike many other venues in India, conditions are unlikely to change drastically throughout the match.
Will Dew Play A Role In Chennai?
Dew is not expected to be a significant factor during the India vs Afghanistan ODI.
Chennai's peak summer conditions in June generally result in dry evenings, reducing the possibility of heavy dew affecting bowlers in the second innings.
This means captains are likely to base their toss decisions more on pitch conditions and team combinations rather than weather-related concerns.
MA Chidambaram Stadium ODI Records
| Record | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | Asia XI - 337/7 vs Africa XI (2007) |
| Lowest Team Total | Kenya - 69 all out vs New Zealand (2011) |
| Average First Innings Score | 229 runs |
| Highest Individual Score | Saeed Anwar (Pakistan) - 194 vs India |
| Best Bowling Figures | Ravi Rampaul (West Indies) - 5/51 vs India |
Most Runs At MA Chidambaram Stadium In ODIs
1. Virat Kohli - 422 runs
2. MS Dhoni - 402 runs
3. Yuvraj Singh - 257 runs
Most Wickets At MA Chidambaram Stadium In ODIs
1. Mohammad Rafique - 8 wickets
2. Ajit Agarkar - 7 wickets
3. Morne Morkel - 7 wickets
What To Expect?
While Chepauk is famous for rewarding spin bowling, recent ODI surfaces have offered good value for stroke-makers as well. With India boasting a strong spin attack led by Kuldeep Yadav and Afghanistan possessing world-class spinners like Rashid Khan, the battle in the middle overs could prove decisive.
A first-innings score in the region of 260-280 should be highly competitive, although a strong batting performance could push totals beyond the 300-run mark if conditions remain true throughout the day.
