The Indian men’s cricket team will face Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series on Saturday (June 13). Captain Shubman Gill is expected to open the innings for the world No. 1 ODI side alongside
former skipper Rohit Sharma, who is currently ranked No. 4 in the ICC ODI batting rankings. Left-handed batter Yashasvi Jaiswal is also part of India’s ODI squad, but the youngster is unlikely to be preferred over Gill and Rohit for the opening role in the series opener at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala.
Batting superstar Virat Kohli, India’s highest-ranked ODI batter, is unavailable for the first-ever bilateral ODI series between India and Afghanistan. In his absence, Ishan Kishan is expected to slot in at No. 3. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter from Patna, who represents Jharkhand in domestic cricket, last played an ODI on October 11, 2023, against Afghanistan in Delhi.
Ishan could get the nod ahead of other contenders for the No. 3 position due to his recent performances for India as well as for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL at that batting position.
Vice-captain Shreyas Iyer and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul are likely to bat at No. 4 and No. 5 respectively. In the absence of Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy is expected to get an opportunity at No. 6.
Reports suggest that Hardik has suffered an injury ahead of the series and is set to miss the entire assignment.
Spin-bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar is part of the ODI squad and is expected to be a certain starter alongside Kuldeep Yadav, who has claimed 194 wickets in 120 ODIs so far.
With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj unavailable, Arshdeep Singh is likely to lead India’s pace attack in the home series against Afghanistan, with Prasidh Krishna expected to partner him. However, it remains to be seen whether Prince Yadav or Gurnoor Brar will get the opportunity to make his India debut in the series opener.
Based on current form and experience, Delhi-based Prince, who represents Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, appears to be the frontrunner to earn his maiden India cap on June 13.
India’s strongest playing 11 for Afghanistan ODIs: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer (VC), KL Rahul (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna
