Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav Or Gurnoor Brar: Who Is Most Likely For ODI Debut vs Afghanistan?

Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar [Source: Instagram and AFP]

India’s squad for the home ODI series against Afghanistan features three uncapped players hungry for a debut. With Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya withdrawn, and seniors like Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel all absent, the team management has a chance to test fresh talent. 

Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar are the new faces in the mix, each offering a varied skill set. 

But only one or a maximum of two can realistically make the playing eleven. Let’s take a look at which of these three is most likely to receive his maiden ODI cap when the series kicks off on June 13.

Why The New Trio Might Get Looked At?

Before comparing the three, it is important to understand what India are missing. Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are not there; so there is no frontline left-arm spin-bowling allrounder. 

Bumrah’s absence leaves a hole, but Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna are the primary pacers. Washington Sundar provides off-spin, Kuldeep Yadav wrist-spin, and Nitish Kumar Reddy offers a seam-bowling allrounder option. 

The team will likely pick two frontline pacers, two spinners and an allrounder who can bowl spin to deepen the batting and provide variety. This is where the uncapped trio comes into the picture.

1) Harsh Dubey

Harsh Dubey is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler who can also contribute with the bat. His first-class numbers are outstanding at 133 wickets in 27 games at an average of 23.26, with nine five-wicket hauls. 

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In List A cricket, he has 31 wickets from 30 matches at an economy of 4.71. While his limited-overs bowling average of 37.87 appears modest, his ability to control the flow of runs and break partnerships makes him a handy option. 

With the bat, Harsh Dubey averages 26.90 in List A cricket with a strike rate over 100, and he has two half-centuries. In home conditions where spin is expected to play a major role, Dubey offers the left-arm angle that India are missing without Jadeja and Axar. 

He can bat at No. 8, providing valuable depth. That two-in-one package, combined with a spin-friendly environment, makes him a very strong candidate.

2) Prince Yadav

Prince Yadav is a right-arm fast bowler who has made rapid strides in domestic white-ball cricket and earned his call-up. His List A record is excellent at 29 wickets in 14 matches at an average of just 20.31 and an economy of 5.15. 

He was Delhi’s leading wicket-taker in both the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy. In IPL 2026, he picked up 16 wickets in 14 matches for Lucknow Super Giants at an improved average of 28.68. 

Yadav’s ability to hit good lengths and vary his pace without a visible change in action makes him an attractive package. The problem for him is the competition. 

Arshdeep and Prasidh are the front-line pacers, and Nitish Reddy is there as a medium-pace allrounder. India are unlikely to field three frontline quicks on turning home surfaces, so Yadav’s path to the eleven is narrow. He remains an excellent backup and could debut if the team opts for extra pace.

3) Gurnoor Brar

Gurnoor Brar is a right-arm fast bowler with his first-class record of 52 wickets in 18 matches at an average of 27.30, including one five-for. 

However, his List A numbers are less convincing, 12 wickets in nine games at an average of 39.00 and an economy of 6.47. Brar has played just one IPL match and lacks the kind of sustained white-ball performances that Yadav and Dubey have produced in recent domestic seasons. 

With Arshdeep and Prasidh ahead of him and Nitish providing an extra seam option, Brar’s chances of a debut in this series appear slim. He might only get a look-in if the team management decides to test a completely fresh pace attack, which seems unlikely.

Conclusion: Who Is Most Likely To Debut?

Harsh Dubey is the front-runner. The absence of Jadeja and Axar creates a natural gap for a left-arm spin allrounder, and Dubey fits that role perfectly. 

Home conditions will demand spin control, and his batting gives India an extra cushion. Prince Yadav is the next in line; his strong List A record could earn him a debut if the team prioritizes pace, but the presence of Arshdeep and Prasidh makes that a long shot. 

Gurnoor Brar, despite his potential, is third in the pecking order because his white-ball numbers are the least impressive and the pace department is already well-stocked. Expect Dubey’s name to be on the team sheet first, with Yadav and Brar waiting for their turn.

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