India’s impressive bench strength has taken centre stage in the ODI series against Afghanistan, with the hosts already sealing the three-match contest 2-0 and now targeting a clean sweep in the final game in Chennai on June 20.
India Eye Clean Sweep as Young Stars Shine Against Afghanistan
Dieter Rams
Despite missing senior stars such as Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, India have dominated the series through the performances of their younger players, underlining the depth of talent available to the national side.
Young guns deliver for India
Ishan Kishan has been one of the standout performers, making a seamless return to the ODI setup with a blazing 125 off just 79 balls in Lucknow. Captain Shubman Gill has also been in superb form, following an unbeaten 84 in the first ODI with a magnificent 154 off 110 balls in the second match.
India’s bowling reserves have impressed as well. Left-arm seamer Gurnoor Brar has emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the series with six wickets in two matches, while Harsh Dubey contributed effectively on debut in the rain-shortened opening ODI. Prince Yadav recovered from an early no-ball setback in Lucknow to help India close out the series victory.
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For Afghanistan, the series has highlighted ongoing concerns with the batting lineup.
Afghanistan searching for answers
The absence of veteran allrounder Mohammad Nabi due to illness in the second ODI further weakened an already fragile middle order.
Since the end of the 2023 ODI World Cup, Afghanistan have struggled for consistency, recording one of the lowest run rates and batting averages among the ICC’s top-ranked ODI teams. Their hopes of avoiding a 3-0 defeat may rest heavily on the shoulders of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Rashid Khan.
Reddy could return; India likely to experiment
Seam-bowling allrounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, who missed the second ODI with a sore thigh, appears close to returning after bowling freely in the nets at Chepauk. India may also continue to rotate their lineup, with Yashasvi Jaiswal expected to get another opportunity at the top of the order.
Afghanistan Search for Answers as India Target Series Sweep.
Massimo Vignelli
Harshit Rana has rejoined the squad after recovering from knee surgery, though India are unlikely to rush him back into the playing XI immediately.
Players in focus
Yashasvi Jaiswal: The young opener remains a key contender in India’s ODI plans and will look to make a strong impression ahead of the 2027 World Cup cycle.
Rashid Khan: Afghanistan’s premier spinner was one of the few bowlers to contain India in Lucknow and remains the visitors’ biggest match-winner.
Pitch and conditions
The Chennai ODI will be played on a red-soil surface known for offering bounce. Hot and humid conditions are expected, with players likely to face another demanding afternoon similar to the one in Lucknow.
Key statistics
- Gurnoor Brar is only the second Indian bowler after Piyush Chawla to take three or more wickets in each of his first two ODI appearances.
- Ishan Kishan’s ODI strike rate of 107.69 is the third-highest among Indians with at least 25 ODI innings.
- Afghanistan’s best result against India in ODIs remains the famous tie at the 2018 Asia Cup in Dubai.
What they said
“The India A set-up is obviously a big thing for me. When I got the call-up for India A, I was very happy.”
— Gurnoor Brar on his journey to the senior side
“We’ve bowled too many boundary balls and lost wickets in pairs. We need to improve across the board.”
— Afghanistan fielding coach John Mooney
With the series already won, India have the luxury of experimenting further, while Afghanistan must produce a significantly improved performance to avoid returning home without a win.
