Overview
- Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya are ruled out of the three‑match ODI series versus Afghanistan, leaving selectors to reshape the playing XI and experiment with roles.
- KL Rahul has been positioned as India’s primary wicketkeeper‑batter with Ishan Kishan named the main backup after being seen keeping in practice and added to the squad.
- Bowling coach Mornel Morkel has identified KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan and Yashasvi Jaiswal as candidates to be tried at the crucial No.3 batting slot in the series.
- Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar are likely to make their international debuts as India uses the matches to assess new pace options and wider bench depth.
- Former player Irfan Pathan urged selectors not to write off Rishabh Pant and pointed to Kishan’s domestic comeback as the model players should follow while weather delayed the Dharamsala opener on June 13.