Arshdeep Singh Faces India Axe For 3rd ODI vs Afghanistan

Arshdeep Singh [Source: AFP]

Arshdeep Singh struck with the new ball and the old against Afghanistan in the second ODI of India’s three-match home series earlier this week. 

The express paceman picked up three wickets in the game to unfurl the spell of the Afghanistan innings with exceptional figures of 3-45. 

The speedster dismissed Afghanistan opener Ibrahim Zadran, before getting rid of Rashid Khan and AM Ghazanfar in the second half as India scripted a huge 170-run win to seal the series 2-0. Arshdeep also picked up two wickets in the series-opening first ODI match last week in Dharamshala to claim figures of 2-27.

Arshdeep Singh impressed with his brilliant bowling performances

With five wickets in just two innings, the 27-year-old has emerged as one of the most successful bowlers of the series from either side, doing so at an exceptional bowling average of 14.40. 

It now seems like the left-arm paceman will now be rested from India’s third and final ODI of the series against Afghanistan, set to be played on Saturday, June 20 in Chennai. 

Arshdeep Singh to be rested, confirms India’s assistant coach

While speaking with the reporters on June 19, India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate stated that fast bowler Arshdeep Singh might be rested from the upcoming third ODI of the series against Afghanistan. 

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While Doeschate did not explained the reason, one can assume that the speedster will be rested in a bid to manage his workload, especially after playing back-to-back T20 World Cup 2026 and IPL 2026 seasons in India. 

Ryan ten Doeschate teases “few changes” in third ODI playing XI

Overall, Ryan ten Doeschate said that the Indian team management will be making a few changes in the playing XI from the first two ODIs of the series. Apart from Arshdeep Singh, the Indian assistant coach also added that any one of the batters will also be rested from the playing XI for the third and final ODI against the visitors.

Ryan ten Doeschate said “We will be making a few changes from last two games. Arshdeep Singh may take rest and may be one of the batters”. 

As of now, it remains unclear which batter Ryan ten Doeschate was referring to, with India expected to announce the final playing XI closer to the start of the third ODI against Afghanistan on Saturday.

One can expect that the team management will likely exclude senior pro Rohit Sharma from the group, owing to the latest fitness concerns of the legendary Indian opener. However, the management might also exclude either KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan or Shreyas Iyer instead in a bid to try out certain middle-order combinations before India’s upcoming tour of England. 

India to face Afghanistan in Chennai

India won the second ODI at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on June 17 to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. The two teams will now face each other at the iconic Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, June 20. 

Under the leadership of captain Shubman Gill, the ‘Men in Blue’ will be aiming to win the impending third ODI to seal the three-match series with a 3-0 margin.

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