![Indian players who might not play vs Afghanistan [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1781068689660_IndianplayerswhomightnotplayvsAfghanistan.jpg?type=hq)
Indian players who might not play vs Afghanistan [Source: AFP]
The one-off Test match between India and Afghanistan is over, and now, the caravan shifts towards the ODI series as the two sides will lock horns in three riveting matches, starting on June 13. With the World Cup 2027 in mind, the India vs Afghanistan ODI matches provide the hosts a chance to test their squad.
The BCCI picked a strong ODI squad for the Afghanistan series, but before the matches, the hosts suffered a blow as Virat Kohli was ruled out of the series. Apart from him, all the others are match fit as India will aim to continue their domination against the Afghans.
However, with just three ODIs against the Afghanistan side, several Indian players who were picked in the squad might not get a chance to play. Here are 3 such players who might not play a single game in the India vs Afghanistan ODI matches.
1) Yashasvi Jaiswal
Rohit Sharma, the team’s regular opener, got injured in the IPL, and there was a question mark over his participation in the upcoming ODIs. However, the former captain has got the nod from the CoE, and will take part in the Afghanistan ODI games.
With Rohit set to open with Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal might not get a chance in the playing XI. His best place is at the top, but keeping the World Cup 2027 in mind, India might not tinker with the pair of Gill and Rohit.
Also Read: 3 Options Better Than Prasidh Krishna That BCCI Ignored For Mohammed Siraj's Replacement
Apart from the opening slot, Jaiswal might not be comfortable batting down the order, and with Ishan Kishan likely to play at number 3, the southpaw could be on the bench unless an injury occurs to one of the top order batters.
2) Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep Yadav is an integral member of India’s white-ball side, but against the Afghans, he might not feature, and it isn’t due to his form. The Gautam Gambhir-led management could be tempted to experiment a bit in the upcoming ODI matches, and Harsh Dubey could be in line to get his debut cap.
Dubey has done well in the domestic circuit, and the left-arm spinner could be India’s X-factor in the ODIs vs Afghanistan. Washington Sundar will be one of the spinners, and Dubey could be given a chance in the three-match ODI series. Hence, Kuldeep could be given a break, and the wily spinner could warm the bench in the three ODIs.
3) Gurnoor Brar
India has plenty of pacers in the ODI setup against Afghanistan, but with the matches taking place in subcontinent conditions, only a handful of those will play in the three-game series.
Arshdeep Singh provides the left-arm angle, and he’ll most likely start in the first two games. Prince Ydav is highly regarded in the domestic setup, and after witnessing his exploits in the IPL 2026, the management might be tempted to give him a game.
That leaves us with the choice between Prasidh Krishna and Gurnoor Brar. For some reason, the management trusts Krishna’s ability in the 50-overs format, and his ability to generate extra bounce could come in handy against the Afghans.
As a result, Gurnoor Brar, the promising right-arm pacer, might have to wait a bit longer to make his ODI debut for the Indian side. He has all the tools to be a successful pacer, but right now, Brar falls behind in the pecking order.
Also Read: Hardik Pandya Ruled Out Of ODI Series Vs Afghanistan
