Virat Kohli And? India Players Whose Places Could Be Under Threat After IND vs AFG ODIs

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma [Source: AFP]

India completed a dominant ODI series win over Afghanistan, and the tour gave the selectors plenty of positives ahead of a crucial phase in the 50-over format. 

Shubman Gill scored a century and finished as the leading run-scorer. Yashasvi Jaiswal grabbed his opportunity with a hundred, and Ishan Kishan returned strongly with a match-winning century, while several young bowlers impressed whenever they got a chance.

Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey all delivered impactful performances with the ball. Their success has increased competition across the squad and reduced the margin for error for some established names.

As India continue to build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup, selectors are expected to reward form and fitness. Following the Afghanistan series, three experienced players appear to be under greater pressure than ever before.

1) Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli remains one of India's greatest-ever players in ODIs, though the Afghanistan series may have indirectly increased the pressure on his place in the side.

The reason is not poor form. In fact, Kohli's ODI numbers in 2026 are impressive. He has scored 240 runs in three innings at an average of 80.00, including a brilliant 124 against New Zealand and a valuable 93 earlier in the same series. Those figures would normally guarantee a place in any ODI side.

Why Kohli's Spot Is In Danger?

The concern comes from a different angle. While Kohli was unavailable, several top-order batters made strong statements. 

Shubman Gill scored 238 runs in the Afghanistan series, Ishan Kishan struck a century and averaged 79.50, Yashasvi Jaiswal produced an unbeaten hundred, and Rohit Sharma also made useful contributions at the top.

[India's ODI top-order in 2026]

Thus, India suddenly have multiple players competing for limited batting spots. The selectors now have evidence that the batting unit can perform successfully even without Kohli in the lineup.

His recent injury concern adds another intrigue. At 37 years of age, workload management and fitness are becoming increasingly important factors. If India decides to prioritise long-term planning for the 2027 World Cup, every selection decision will come under closer examination.

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Kohli remains ahead of most contenders because of his legacy and recent ODI numbers. At the same time, the Afghanistan series showed that India now has several players pushing hard for opportunities. That reality has significantly reduced the room for error.

2) Mohammed Siraj

Mohammed Siraj could be one of the biggest names feeling pressure after the Afghanistan series because India's pace attack suddenly looks far more competitive.

Siraj's ODI numbers in 2026 have been decent rather than exceptional. Against New Zealand, he picked up three wickets in three matches while conceding runs at respectable economy rates. Those performances were steady, though they were not the kind that completely locked down his position.

Why Siraj's Spot Is In Danger?

The Afghanistan series highlighted the emergence of several pace options. Gurnoor Brar was outstanding, claiming seven wickets in three matches at an average below 20. 

Arshdeep Singh collected five wickets in just two appearances and consistently troubled batters with the new ball. 

Prasidh Krishna delivered the most eye-catching spell of the series when he registered career-best figures of 5 for 23. Even Prince Yadav chipped in with important wickets.

[India pacers in ODIs in 2026]

The selectors are unlikely to move away from Siraj immediately given his experience and proven record. The challenge for him is that younger bowlers are now producing performances that demand attention. 

If this trend continues over the next few series, Siraj's place may no longer be as secure as it once appeared.

3) Kuldeep Yadav

Kuldeep Yadav may have the most questions to answer among the three players on this list.

The left-arm wrist-spinner has endured a difficult ODI year in 2026. Against New Zealand, he managed only three wickets across three matches while conceding runs at economy rates of 5.77, 8.20 and 8.00. Those figures are significantly below the standards expected from India's lead spinner.

The Afghanistan series did little to improve his case. In his only appearance, Kuldeep went wicketless despite bowling his full quota of overs. 

Why Kuldeep's Spot Is In Danger?

Washington Sundar continues to provide batting value alongside his bowling, while Harsh Dubey impressed during the Afghanistan series with four wickets in two matches. 

[Harsh Dubey vs Kuldeep Yadav in ODIs in 2026]

Kuldeep's strength has always been his ability to take wickets in the middle overs and break partnerships. That match-winning impact has not been visible consistently in 2026. 

For Kuldeep, the Afghanistan series may not be the deciding factor on its own. It could become another entry in a growing list of underwhelming performances. Unless he rediscovers his wicket-taking rhythm soon, the management could begin exploring alternative options more seriously.

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