India face test of depth in first-ever ODI series against Afghanistan
Big picture: Shaking off the rust in a historic encounter
The cricketing world turns its eyes to Dharamsala as India face test of depth in first-ever ODI series against Afghanistan. Having endured a challenging run in the 50-over format, losing three of their last five matches—including a frustrating home series defeat to New Zealand—the Indian team is at a crossroads. With the 2027 ODI World Cup looming on the horizon in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia, this series serves as a critical laboratory for the selectors to evaluate the squad’s reserve strength.
India enters this series without several key personnel, either due to injury or strategic resting. While the batting lineup remains formidable even in the absence of Virat Kohli, the bowling attack presents a fresh, untested look. Young pacers like Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh are still finding their feet with limited caps, while uncapped talents Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar are waiting in the wings. For India, the primary objective is to expand their fast-bowling stocks.
Conversely, Afghanistan arrives with significant momentum, having won four of their last five ODIs. While they have yet to defeat India in this format, their confidence is bolstered by a core group that nearly reached the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup. The return of spin maestro Rashid Khan, who missed the preceding Test match, provides a massive lift to their bowling unit.
Form guide: Divergent paths to Dharamsala
India’s recent form reads as LLWWL, highlighting a period of inconsistency that the management is keen to rectify. Afghanistan, meanwhile, enters the series with a impressive record of WWWWL. The challenge for both sides will be the lack of recent match practice; India has not played an ODI since January, while Afghanistan’s last foray into the 50-over game was back in October 2025. Overcoming this rustiness will be the first major hurdle for both captains.
In the spotlight: The battle of the allrounders
The series features two players who could define the outcome through their dual contributions. For India, Nitish Kumar Reddy is the man under the microscope. In a squad that often struggles for balance when Hardik Pandya is sidelined, Reddy’s rise has been timely. His blistering form in IPL 2026 and a solid half-century in his previous ODI appearance suggest he is ready for the international stage. This series is his chance to prove he is the reliable successor the team desperately needs.
On the other side, Azmatullah Omarzai continues to be the heartbeat of the Afghanistan side. Following a breakout 2023 World Cup campaign where he averaged over 70 with the bat, Omarzai has evolved into a genuine wicket-taking threat. With 24 wickets in his last 10 ODIs and consistent batting contributions, his ability to provide breakthroughs with the new ball will be the primary threat to the Indian top order.
Team news: Tactical shifts
With Virat Kohli sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Ishan Kishan is slated to take on the pivotal No. 3 role. Kishan brings a wealth of experience from his prolific domestic and T20 World Cup form. The opening pair remains settled with captain Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma, while the bowling attack will likely see a debutant between Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar. The probable India XI includes Gill, Sharma, Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Krishna, and a debutant fast bowler.
Afghanistan’s composition remains flexible. Mohammad Saleem, who impressed in the Test match at New Chandigarh, is in contention for a spot. The team will be monitoring the fitness of veteran allrounder Mohammad Nabi, whose experience is vital for their middle-order stability.
Pitch and conditions
Dharamsala returns to the spotlight for a bilateral ODI series for the first time since 2017. The venue is known for offering some early assistance to fast bowlers through seam and swing, but it generally evolves into a batting-friendly surface. Historically, the ground has been balanced, with chasing teams holding a slight edge. Given the high-scoring nature of the last match played here during the 2023 World Cup, fans can expect an entertaining contest where both pace and patience will be tested.
Key milestones to watch
- This is the maiden bilateral ODI series between these two nations; all previous encounters were limited to multi-team ICC or Asia Cup tournaments.
- Shreyas Iyer is approaching the 3000-run milestone in ODIs, needing just 23 more.
- Shubman Gill is within striking distance of 3000 ODI runs, requiring 47 runs to hit the mark.
- Rashid Khan’s battle against the Indian middle order will be a tactical chess match, given his history of five wickets against India in the format.
Vivaan Sharma is a senior cricket analyst based in Hyderabad known for his in-depth coverage of IPL strategy, bowling performance metrics, and advanced cricket statistics. He has worked with multiple sports media platforms to deliver analytical content for cricket fans and fantasy league followers.
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