Team India will begin their journey to prepare for the ODI World Cup 2027 that will take place next year in October in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia. The first preparation for this tournament will take place right after the IPL 2026, when they take on Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series at home. The Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee has announced the 15-member squad for the series. Now, to defeat a team like Afghanistan, India might need to play a strong playing XI. This might not include the great Rohit Shatma, in what will be a huge shock.
Rohit Sharma OUT?
Rohit Sharma has returned to the India squad for the first time since the ODI series against New Zealand in January this year. However, he has been suffering from a hamstring injury in the IPL 2026. He missed some games, and also played the games in the latter half as an impact sub. Hence, against Afghanistan, India might opt ​​to rest him to proceed with caution. In fact, his inclusion in the squad was already subject to fitness.
Ishan Kishan will open the batting alongside captain Shubman Gill in Rohit’s absence. The rest of the top order remains same, with Virat Kohli at no.3, Shreyas Iyer at no.4, and KL Rahul at no.5.
No Hardik Pandya, Debut For Harsh Dubey
Hardik Pandya has also struggled in the IPL 2026, missing three games due to a back spasm. His inclusion in the team is also subject to fitness clearance. Hence, if India choose to look past Pandya in this series, then they will opt for Nitish Kumar Reddy as the pace bowling all-rounder. While he was primarily a batting all-rounder, Reddy has vastly improved his bowling in the IPL 2026, as he increased his pace. In fact, he has taken 7 wickets this season, the most he has ever done in an IPL season.
Washington Sundar will come in at no.7, and Harsh Dubey will definitely get the place as the other spin-bowling all-rounder in the side. With Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja rested, Dubey will be the left-arm spinner that India will rely on.
Prince Yadav In?
Prince Yadav has been without doubt one of the show stealers of the IPL. Even though Lucknow Super Giants have struggled, Prince has been consistent taking 16 wickets in 13 games. He has been fast tracked into the Indian team, and given the fact that both Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj will not be playing, it could be a massive opportunity to utilize Prince’s red-hot form by handing him a debut.
Looking at the ODI World Cup 2027 on South African conditions, India might opt ​​for a pace-heavy attack. Hence, alongside Prince Yadav, the Men in Blue can go in with Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna.
India Predicted Playing XI For Afghanistan ODI Series
Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav/Prasidh Krishna.
India Squad For Afghanistan ODI Series
Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma*, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Arshdeep Singh, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya*, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh
