India’s three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, which begins on Saturday in Dharamsala, gives several young players a chance to stake long-term claims as the selectors look towards the 2027 World Cup in Southern Africa. Here are some key talking points in the lead-up to the series.
Can Kishan continue his golden run?
Ishan Kishan comes back into the ODI fold at a time when his stocks couldn’t be higher. He may have warmed the bench had both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli been available. However, Kohli’s hamstring injury paves way for three potential opportunities at No. 3, nearly three years after Kishan last played ODIs.
A sensational Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, during which he was the leading run-getter and six-hitter, brought him back into the T20I setup. An outstanding T20 World Cup followed by his most prolific IPL yet – he finished the season as the third-most impactful batter – have continued a resurgence he’ll now hope to carry forward into the 50-overs format.
Kishan was a back-up batter in India’s squad for the 2023 World Cup. His ability to bat anywhere in the top four makes him a contender to be the first batter the team management turns to in case of injury or poor form.
Reddy’s chance to fill Hardik void
Each of Nitish Kumar Reddy’s four ODIs have come with Hardik Pandya either rested or injured. But that he was picked in India’s 15-man squad for the Afghanistan ODIs alongside Hardik marks a slight shift in thinking from the selectors and team management.
As it turns out, Hardik’s late injury means Reddy will have a chance to audition for a sustained ODI run, with the Ajit-Agarkar-led selection panel keen on ensuring India have a ready replacement for Hardik. They dearly missed that player at the 2023 World Cup after he injured his left ankle four games in.
Reddy struck a maiden half-century in his most recent ODI innings, in January against New Zealand. Over the course of the summer, he has also built up steady volumes with his bowling – he bowled the most overs he has in an IPL yet – and has also upped his speeds to be able to clock upwards of 135 kph consistently.
Can Dubey put pressure on the senior spin allrounders?
Harsh Dubey captained Vidarbha to their maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy crown in December, picking up 10 wickets with an economy rate of 4.79. His thrifty left-arm spin and his contributions with the bat make him well-placed to be the second spin allrounder in the XI behind Washington Sundar, if the selectors opt for extra batting depth.
With Ravindra Jadeja, now 37, rested and Axar Patel dropped from ODIs, and with the selectors looking at reinforcements, how well Dubey does could yet decide which way they eventually turn in the final lap of India’s World Cup preparation.
Chance for Prince andr Gurnoor to make an impression
India have seldom picked someone with such little experience. Gurnoor Brar din’t feature in a single IPL game for Gujarat Titans, but had an excellent white-ball season for Punjab, picking up 10 and 11 wickets respectively in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy. More than the wickets, the selectors have been excited by Gurnoor’s raw pace and ability to hustle batters even on docile tracks.
Prince Yadav is another fast bowler who has broken through on the weight of domestic performances. An outstanding Vijay Hazare Trophy for Delhi – 18 wickets in eight matches at an average of 19,27 and an economy rate of 5.16 – was enough to convince the selectors he was worth looking at. An excellent IPL for Lucknow Super Giants – which included a viral in-ducker that clean-bowled Virat Kohli – merely reinforced their belief.
With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj rested, India could well hand a cap to Gurnoor or Prince during this series. If they perform, they might make a strong case to be considered for the England ODIs too.
