Already 2-0 up in the three-match series, the Indian men’s cricket team will face Afghanistan in the third ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday (June 20). Under the leadership of Shubman Gill, the Men in Blue will look to deliver another dominant performance in the final match of the first-ever bilateral ODI series against Afghanistan and complete a whitewash over the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side.
For the third ODI against Afghanistan, the BCCI added Harshit Rana to India’s squad on Friday (June 19), and there is a possibility that the Delhi-based fast bowler could feature in the playing XI on Saturday.
🚨 Update 🚨
Harshit Rana added to #TeamIndia squad for Chennai ODI.
More details 🔽 | #INDvAFG | @IDFCFIRSTBank https://t.co/zB84OUHo9x
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 19, 2026
Harshit, who made his international debut for India in November 2024 against Australia in a Test match in Perth, last played for the Indian team in February 2026 against South Africa during a warm-up match ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 in Navi Mumbai. In that fixture, he suffered an injury and was ruled out of the entire tournament.
Harshit could replace left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. Arshdeep has played both ODIs so far and has impressed with his bowling, picking up two wickets in the rain-hit first ODI and three in the second. However, with a busy international season ahead, he could be rested for the third ODI to make way for Rana.
Fast-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy played in the first ODI and picked up two wickets in his quota of four overs but was unavailable for selection in the second match due to injury. In his absence, Yashasvi Jaiswal was included in the playing XI but managed to score only four runs as an opener. If fit, Reddy is expected to replace Jaiswal in the side, allowing captain Shubman Gill to return to the top of the order.
In the second ODI at Ekana Stadium on Wednesday (June 17), Kuldeep failed to take a wicket, but given the spin-friendly conditions expected in Chennai, he is likely to retain his place in the playing XI. It will, however, be interesting to see whether Harsh Dubey gets another opportunity. The Vidarbha-based spinner picked up three wickets on his ODI debut in Dharamsala but was dropped from the XI for the second match.
If he is considered for the Chennai ODI, either Gurnoor Brar or Prince Yadav is likely to make way. However, the chances of that happening do not appear to be very high.
In the batting department, the Indian team management is unlikely to make any changes. However, there will be high expectations from vice-captain Shreyas Iyer. Iyer got good starts in both ODIs played so far but failed to convert them into big scores. Ahead of travelling to the United Kingdom later this month, where he is set to make his T20I captaincy debut for India, Iyer will be eager to get some runs under his belt.
India’s likely playing XI for 3rd ODI against Afghanistan: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav
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