Sanju Samson was India’s highest run-getter in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, and he also tops the list of batters with the most runs in the IPL 2026 for the Chennai Super Kings. But despite his super show with the bat in the recent months, he is unlikely to be part of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan.
According to a report in Times of India on Thursday, the senior men’s selection committee headed by Ajit Agarkar is set to pick India’s squad for the upcoming home series against Afghanistan on May 19, and there is a possibility of Ishan Kishan making a comeback in India’s ODI side as well after more than two years.
It has been reported that Ishan, who last played an ODI match for India on October 11,
2023, against Afghanistan in Delhi, could be picked in the squad as second-choice wicketkeeper-batter.
As per the available information, Rishabh Pant, who was India’s second-choice wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs last year (in 2025) has fallen out-of-favour due to his poor performances with the bat in the IPL. And in his place, the senior men’s selection committee could include Ishan and the backup of KL Rahul.
KL Rahul is in good form these days and is set to remain India’s first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in ODIs.
Ishan is likely to get preference as second choice due to his recent form and also the ability to bat anywhere (opener, No. 3, middle order, etc.).
It has also been reported that there will be discussions around Ravindra Jadeja’s future in ODIs. Jadeja was dropped from India’s squad for the ODI series in Australia last year but was included for the home assignments against South Africa in December 2025 and vs New Zealand in January 2026.
However, he remained wicketless in the three ODIs vs New Zealand and was able to take only one wicket in three one-dayers against the South African team. With the bat as well, Jadeja was only able to score 43 runs in three matches against the Kiwis.
