Gautam Gambhir's Former Ally Leaves Out Ishan Kishan From India's Playing XI Vs Afghanistan

Ishan Kishan snubbed out of IND vs AFG ODIs [Source: AFP]

Ahead of the ODI series between India and Afghanistan, a former assistant coach of the Indian cricket team and close aide of head coach Gautam Gambhir made a surprising playing XI recommendation.

After beating Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in the one-off Test, India will host the visitors in a 3-game ODI series beginning on June 13. The first game will be played at the Dharamsala Stadium in Himachal Pradesh.

Abhishek Nayar snubs Ishan Kishan for Yashasvi Jaiswal

Meanwhile, talking to Star Sports, former Indian coach Abhishek Nayar proposed a few interesting selection calls for India's opening ODI against Afghanistan, most notably backing Yashasvi Jaiswal to bat at no. 3 following Virat Kohli's injury-enforced absence.

He suggested that Jaiswal should be given an opportunity to play despite the lack of a slot in the opening order. But Nayar’s suggestion meant that India should include Yashasvi at the expense of Ishan Kishan.

Kishan is the second-choice wicketkeeper in this squad, but with Virat Kohli out, critics expect him to replace the veteran in the playing XI at no. 3. But Abhishek Nayar believes Yashasvi Jaiswal would be a better fit. 

“Open with Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma. Yashasvi Jaiswal will play at No. 3, Shreyas Iyer at No. 4, KL Rahul at No. 5, Hardik Pandya at No. 6, Washington Sundar at No. 7, and Harsh Dubey at No. 8," Nayar said.

Also Read - Players Who Can Replace Virat Kohli At Number 3 In Afghanistan ODIs

Not only that, but the former assistant coach also picked Harsh Dubey at no. 8. Abhishek Nayar believes India should field a left-arm spinner who can also contribute with the bat, giving the side additional balance and flexibility.

Abhishek Nayar's predicted India XI for the first ODI against Afghanistan: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav (or an extra seamer depending on conditions).

Ishan Kishan vs Yashasvi Jaiswal's recent form

Statistically, Ishan Kishan’s case is much stronger than Yashasvi Jaiswal. In the IPL 2026, while Kishan scored 602 runs at an average of 40.13 for Sunrisers Hyderabad, Jaiswal accumulated 427 runs in 16 games.

Kishan also led SRH in the first half of the tournament due to Pat Cummins’ absence, while Jaiswal played as second fiddle to Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in Rajasthan Royals.

Hence, as far as recent form is concerned, Ishan Kishan appears to be better suited to replace Virat Kohli in India’s ODI series against Afghanistan.

Hardik Pandya cleared for IND vs AFG ODI series

Meanwhile, India have received a major boost as all-rounder Hardik Pandya has reportedly cleared the fitness test and is fit to join India’s ODI squad for the Afghanistan series.

He bowled at the BCCI CoE, and the medical staff reported no issues, thus giving him clearance. Also, an update on Rohit Sharma, who struggled with a hamstring injury during IPL 2026, is yet to come.

But batting coach Sitanshu Kotak is confident that both Rohit and Hardik will be fit and available for selection before the first ODI is played on June 13.

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