India face test of depth in first-ever ODI series against Afghanistan
Big picture: Which team will shake off the rust better?
As the international cricket calendar shifts focus, India face test of depth in first-ever ODI series against Afghanistan. Having endured a difficult run with three losses in their last five ODIs, including a disappointing home series defeat to New Zealand, the Indian team is keen to regain momentum ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. While the batting order remains robust despite the absence of Virat Kohli, the bowling attack presents a fresh, unproven look, offering a crucial trial for the team’s emerging pace battery.
The current selection features a blend of experience and raw potential. With fast bowlers like Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh holding limited ODI experience, and youngsters like Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar looking to make their mark, the management is clearly prioritizing the development of their fast-bowling stocks. This is particularly vital as the team prepares for the conditions of the next World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
Conversely, Afghanistan enters the fray with significant confidence. Riding a four-match winning streak, they are hungry to register a maiden ODI victory over India. Having tasted success in the 2023 World Cup where they narrowly missed a semi-final spot, the Afghan side is well-prepared and bolstered by the return of superstar Rashid Khan. For both teams, the primary hurdle will be overcoming the rustiness of limited 50-over action, with India’s last ODI coming in January and Afghanistan’s break stretching back to October 2025.
Form guide
India: LLWWL (Last five completed ODIs)
Afghanistan: WWWWL (Last five completed ODIs)
In the spotlight: The battle of the allrounders
The search for a reliable pace-bowling allrounder continues to be a central theme for India. With Hardik Pandya’s ongoing injury management, the emergence of Nitish Kumar Reddy is a silver lining. Reddy, who demonstrated both pace and batting prowess during the 2026 IPL, is poised to prove his worth on the international stage. His ability to anchor the lower-middle order and provide essential breakthroughs makes him a player to watch.
On the other side of the ledger, Azmatullah Omarzai continues to be the heartbeat of the Afghanistan setup. Since his breakthrough performance in the 2023 World Cup, where he averaged 70.60 with the bat and contributed vital wickets, he has evolved into a indispensable asset. Having taken 24 wickets in his last 10 ODIs, his ability to trouble top-order batters with the new ball will be a decisive factor in the series.
Team news and tactical shifts
With Virat Kohli sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Ishan Kishan is the prime candidate to anchor the No. 3 spot, a role he has earned through consistent domestic and franchise performances. Captain Shubman Gill is expected to open alongside Rohit Sharma, while the bowling lineup is set to experiment with debutants. The likely India XI features: Shubman Gill (capt), Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and either Prince Yadav or Gurnoor Brar.
Afghanistan’s composition remains fluid. With veteran Mohammad Nabi nursing an illness, the squad may lean on the form of Mohammad Saleem, who recently impressed during the Test match in New Chandigarh. The Afghan leadership, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, will look to maximize the spinning prowess of Rashid Khan and AM Ghazanfar to stifle the Indian lineup.
Pitch and conditions
The picturesque Dharamsala stadium hosts its first bilateral ODI since 2017. Historically known for offering swing and seam movement early on, it nonetheless remains a batting-friendly surface. While chasing has statistically yielded more success at the venue, teams batting first have also found substantial totals. Given the recent high-scoring nature of matches here, spectators can anticipate an intriguing tactical battle between India’s batting depth and the strategic bowling rotations of both squads.
Milestones and stats
As the series progresses, individual milestones add extra flavor to the competition. Shreyas Iyer sits just 23 runs shy of 3000 ODI runs, while Shubman Gill requires only 47 more to achieve the same feat. Rashid Khan, who holds five wickets in three matches against India, remains the biggest threat to these milestones as he aims to lead his team toward a historic series win.
