Injuries to Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya have raised several selection questions for coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill ahead of India’s first ODI against Afghanistan on Saturday at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The series marks the start of India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Bowling coach Morne Morkel indicated that the team plans to test two or three players in the number three batting position during the series. Possible options include Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul or Yashasvi Jaiswal. Kishan, selected originally as a backup opener and wicketkeeper, may now get a chance in the top order. Rahul, who has kept wickets in recent ODIs, could also be considered for the role, though this might affect middle-order stability. Pandya’s absence has sped up the search for all-round alternatives. Morkel noted that Nitish Kumar Reddy has earned an opportunity after strong recent performances. Reddy is not yet at Pandya’s level but has shown technical improvements in batting and bowling. With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj rested, the series will also give chances to emerging fast bowlers such as Prince and Gurnoor. Morkel praised their accuracy and composure during recent training and sees the matches as key for building squad depth ahead of the 2027 World Cup.
