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 gears, India prepares for a unique challenge. Having endured a difficult period in the 50-over format, including a recent home series loss to New Zealand, the focus for the Men in Blue is squarely on building momentum toward the 2027 ODI World Cup. With several marquee players rested or nursing injuries, the upcoming fixtures serve as a high-stakes laboratory where India face test of depth in first-ever ODI series against Afghanistan.

While the batting lineup retains much of its firepower even in the absence of Virat Kohli, the bowling unit presents a fresh face. Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh bring limited experience to the table, while uncapped talents like Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar wait in the wings. For a management looking toward the conditions in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe for the next World Cup, this series is a vital opportunity to expand the fast-bowling pool.

Conversely, Afghanistan arrives with the wind in their sails. Riding a four-match winning streak, they are hungry to register their first-ever ODI win over India. Their confidence is bolstered by a strong showing in the 2023 World Cup, where they nearly secured a semi-final spot. With Rashid Khan back in the mix—having missed the recent Test match—Afghanistan possesses the tactical guile to challenge the hosts.

Form and Rustiness

Both teams face the hurdle of inactivity. India’s last ODI outing dates back to January, while Afghanistan has not played an ODI since October 2025. This extended gap suggests that finding rhythm in the middle overs will be the defining theme of the early games. Recent form shows India struggling with a LLWWL record, whereas Afghanistan enters the series with a strong WWWWL run.

Players in the Spotlight

The absence of Hardik Pandya has long been a headache for Indian selectors, but the emergence of Nitish Kumar Reddy offers a glimmer of hope. Reddy’s rise in the IPL and his ability to contribute with both bat and ball make him an X-factor for this series. He is seen as the perfect successor for the allrounder role, and his performance here will be pivotal for his future in the English tour scheduled for later this year.

For Afghanistan, all eyes will be on Azmatullah Omarzai. Since his breakout 2023 World Cup campaign, where he averaged over 70 with the bat, he has become the backbone of their team. Having taken 24 wickets in his last 10 ODIs, his ability to trouble top-order batters with the new ball is undeniable. His familiarity with Indian conditions adds another layer of intrigue to his performance.

Team News and Probable XIs

The injury to Virat Kohli has created a vacancy at No. 3, which is likely to be filled by the explosive Ishan Kishan. With Rohit Sharma leading the side alongside Shubman Gill, the top order remains potent. India’s probable 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 Prince Yadav/Gurnoor Brar.

Afghanistan’s setup, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, remains balanced but faces an injury cloud over veteran Mohammad Nabi. Their probable XI includes: Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), Azmatullah Omarzai, Ikram Alikhil (wk), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Saleem, and AM Ghazanfar/Ziaur Rahman.

Pitch and Conditions

The venue for this series opener is the picturesque Dharamsala, which has not hosted a bilateral ODI since 2017. Historically, the surface offers significant assistance to seamers with the new ball but rewards positive batting as the innings progresses. With a high-scoring history, including a massive 388-run display by Australia in the last World Cup, both teams will need to be tactically disciplined.

Key Milestones

• This series marks the first-ever bilateral ODI meeting between the two nations.
• Rashid Khan enters the series with five wickets in three previous ODIs against India.
• Shreyas Iyer is closing in on 3000 ODI runs, needing just 23 more, while Shubman Gill is 47 runs away from the same milestone.