India vs Afghanistan ODI Series: 3 Indian Stars Who Might Warm the Bench

The one-off Test match is officially in the books, and the cricketing caravan now shifts to the white-ball format. India and Afghanistan are set to lock horns in a riveting three-match ODI series starting on June 13.

With the 2027 ICC World Cup on the horizon, the India vs Afghanistan ODI matches give the host nation a prime opportunity to road-test their squad combinations. The BCCI has assembled a formidable white-ball setup, though the hosts were dealt a significant pre-series blow with Virat Kohli ruled out due to injury.

Fortunately, the rest of the squad is match-fit and ready to extend India's dominance. However, in a short three-match window, a packed roster means several talented names will inevitably be sidelined. Here are three Indian players who might not play a single game against Afghanistan.

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal

There was a looming question mark over Rohit Sharma’s participation following his IPL injury. However, the Indian skipper has officially received the green light from the Centre of Excellence (CoE) and is primed to take the field.

With Rohit locked in to open alongside Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s path to the playing XI is heavily obstructed. Jaiswal is a natural, explosive top-order batter, and dropping him down the middle order blunts his effectiveness. Furthermore, with Ishan Kishan the frontrunner to slot in at number three in Kohli's absence, Jaiswal is likely viewed strictly as a top-order backup.

The Verdict: Unless an unexpected injury strikes the top order, India is unlikely to tinker with the established Rohit-Gill partnership just to fit Jaiswal into the lineup.

2. Kuldeep Yadav

It might sound surprising to see an integral white-ball pillar like Kuldeep Yadav on this list, but his potential absence has nothing to do with his form.

The Gautam Gambhir-led management has shown a willingness to experiment against the Afghans, which could pave the way for fresh faces. Domestic standout Harsh Dubey is reportedly in line to receive his debut cap. The left-arm spinner offers a tantalizing X-factor for the Indian attack in these ODIs.

If India opts to deploy Dubey alongside Washington Sundar, the management could grant Kuldeep a well-deserved rest, keeping the wily wrist-spinner on the bench for this three-game stretch.

3. Gurnoor Brar

While India boasts a deep arsenal of pace bowlers for this series, subcontinent pitches dictate that only a select few will make the final cut.

Arshdeep Singh is virtually guaranteed to start the first two games, providing that crucial left-arm angle. Additionally, Prince Yadav's stellar exploits in the 2026 IPL have pushed him up the pecking order, making him a prime candidate for a trial run.

That leaves a direct shootout between Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar for the remaining pace slot. The team management heavily favors Krishna in the 50-over format—his ability to extract steep, extra bounce on flat decks makes him a lethal weapon against the Afghan batters.

The Verdict: Despite possessing all the necessary tools to be a successful pacer, Brar currently sits just behind the frontline quicks and may have to wait a little longer for his ODI debut.

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