India face test of depth in first-ever ODI series against Afghanistan
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Big picture: Which team will shake off the rust better?
The cricketing landscape is set for a historic chapter as India prepares to host Afghanistan for their inaugural bilateral ODI series. For India, the recent run of form—having lost three of their last five ODIs, including a disappointing home series defeat to New Zealand—serves as a wake-up call. With eyes firmly set on building momentum toward the 2027 ODI World Cup, the management is using this series as a tactical exercise to assess the bench strength.
India enters this contest without several seasoned regulars, either due to injury or planned rotations. While the batting lineup remains formidable even in the absence of Virat Kohli, the focus shifts squarely to a fresh-faced bowling unit. With Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh holding limited experience in the format, and newcomers like Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar waiting in the wings, India is clearly looking to identify the future of its fast-bowling reserves for the challenging conditions expected in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
On the other side of the pitch, Afghanistan arrives with confidence. Riding a wave of success, the visitors have won their last four ODIs and are eager to secure their first-ever series victory over India in this format. Drawing inspiration from their A-team’s recent triumph over India in the tri-series in Sri Lanka, the core of the Afghan squad, battle-hardened from a near-semifinal run in the 2023 World Cup, looks more than ready for the challenge. The return of spin maestro Rashid Khan, who missed the preceding Test match, provides a massive boost to their bowling stocks.
The Form Factor
Rustiness could be a defining factor in this opening encounter. India’s last ODI appearance dates back to January, while Afghanistan has not played an ODI since October 2025. This long hiatus means both sides will need to quickly recalibrate their 50-over rhythm.
Form guide
- India: L-L-W-W-L (Most recent first)
- Afghanistan: W-W-W-W-L
In the Spotlight: All-rounders take center stage
In the absence of Hardik Pandya, India is searching for a reliable fast-bowling allrounder to provide structural balance. Nitish Kumar Reddy has emerged as the frontrunner for this role. Coming off a stellar IPL 2026 season where his pace and batting prowess shone brightly, Reddy is on an upward trajectory. This series serves as a massive audition for him, particularly with a high-profile tour of England looming in July.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai continues to be the team’s most significant asset. After a breakout performance in the 2023 World Cup where he amassed over 350 runs and proved lethal with the ball, Omarzai has become indispensable. His consistency—having taken 24 wickets in his last 10 ODIs without going wicketless—makes him a dual-threat menace that the Indian top order must navigate with extreme caution.
Team News and Strategy
With Virat Kohli sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Ishan Kishan is expected to shoulder the responsibility at the No. 3 position. Kishan’s prolific run in domestic cricket and his T20 World Cup experience make him a natural fit to anchor the innings. Skipper Shubman Gill is set to open alongside Rohit Sharma, while the bowling department will likely feature one of the debutants, Prince Yadav or Gurnoor Brar.
For Afghanistan, the inclusion of quick Mohammad Saleem provides tactical variety, though the team remains concerned about the fitness of veteran allrounder Mohammad Nabi. If Nabi is ruled out, the tourists will need to rely heavily on their spin-heavy attack led by the inimitable Rashid Khan.
Stats and Trivia
- This marks the first-ever bilateral ODI series between these two nations; all previous encounters have been restricted to ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup.
- Rashid Khan’s impact will be critical, as he has historically posed a challenge to Indian batsmen.
- Milestones are on the horizon: Shreyas Iyer sits just 23 runs shy of 3,000 ODI runs, while Shubman Gill is 47 runs away from the same landmark.
Pitch and Conditions
The historic venue in Dharamsala hosts its first bilateral ODI since 2017. While the surface is traditionally conducive for batting, the high altitude and movement with the new ball will keep the fast bowlers interested. Historically, the ground has been fairly balanced between chasing and defending, though the high-scoring nature of the 2023 World Cup matches here suggests that batsmen who find their groove early can score heavily.
