Afghanistan Cricket Team [Source: AFP]On Saturday, June 20, Afghanistan will take on India in the third and final ODI of the series at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. The visitors have already lost the series 0-2 after suffering defeats in the first two ODIs and will now look to end the tour on a positive note.Despite the losses, several Afghanistan players have shown promising signs. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi will once again lead the side, while the team management is expected to stick with a largely unchanged combination for the dead rubber.India have dominated the series so far, winning the first ODI by six wickets and the second ODI by a massive margin after posting over 400 runs on the board. The hosts are expected to experiment with a few players as they have already secured the series.For Afghanistan, the focus will be on putting together a complete performance. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Rahmat Shah, Rashid Khan, and Nangeyalia Kharote have been among the few bright spots in the series. Therefore, this article will shed light on Afghanistan's strongest playing XI vs India.Afghanistan Playing XI vs India- 3rd ODI, 2026Openers and Top Order- Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah AtalAfghanistan are expected to continue with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran as their opening pair. Gurbaz has been Afghanistan's standout batter in the series, and he once again showed his class in the second ODI with a quick fire 41 off 33 balls, smashing seven fours and a six before falling to Gurnoor Brar.Ibrahim Zadran has not converted his starts into big scores, but the opener still managed 21 runs in the previous game and remains one of Afghanistan's most dependable batters in the ODI format.Sediqullah Atal should continue at No.3 after playing a valuable knock of 42 runs from 50 deliveries. The left-hander looked comfortable against both pace and spin and provided generous support to the middle order.Also Read- Will Virat Kohli Play IND vs ENG ODIs? Biggest Update ArrivesMiddle-Order- Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Hashmatullah Shahidi, Mohammad Nabi, Nangeyalia KharoteRahmat Shah remains Afghanistan's most reliable middle-order batter. The experienced right-hander scored a fighting 79 off 89 balls in the second ODI and was the backbone of Afghanistan's innings during a difficult run chase.Ikram Alikhil could be in line for a return to Afghanistan's ODI setup after Darwish Rasooli failed to make an impact in the second ODI. Rasooli managed only an unbeaten six and was unable to provide the stability Afghanistan needed in the middle order, which could force the team management to explore other options for the series finale.Alikhil brings considerably more experience to the side, having played 32 ODIs and scored 386 runs, including three fifties. The wicketkeeper-batter has delivered on big occasions before, most notably with a fighting 86 against West Indies in the 2019 ODI World Cup and a crucial half-century against England during the 2023 ODI World Cup. Meanwhile, the chances of Azmatullah Omarzai returning to the playing XI appear slim after the all-rounder suffered an injury scare during the second ODI. Afghanistan are unlikely to risk one of their most important players in a dead-rubber encounter, making Alikhil a better inclusion for the final match in Chennai.Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi has endured a disappointing series with the bat, but his leadership make him an automatic selection. The skipper will be eager to finish the series strongly after scoring just four runs in the previous ODI.Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi is expected to continue in the playing XI after being ruled out of the 2nd ODI due to sickness. While he has not made a significant impact yet, his experience and ability to contribute in all the departments make him too valuable to leave out. Nangeyalia Kharote adds balance to the side as a spin-bowling all-rounder. While he scored only six runs in the last match, his ability to contribute with the ball makes him an important all-rounder and spinner for the Afghanis.Bowlers- Rashid Khan, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Mohammad Saleem SafiRashid Khan remains Afghanistan's biggest match-winner and one of the few players to make a significant impact in the series. The leg-spinner has picked up 4 wickets in 2 ODIs at an average of 21.25, including impressive figures of 3/48. He has also chipped in with 21 runs and remains Afghanistan's most dangerous bowler heading into the final ODI.Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar is expected to retain his place despite modest returns so far. The young spinner has managed 1 wicket in 2 matches, with best figures of 1/69. While the numbers do not stand out, Afghanistan continue to back the 20-year-old as one of their brightest spin-bowling prospects for the future.Mohammad Saleem Safi should continue to lead the pace attack. The right-arm fast bowler has picked up 1 wicket in 2 matches, with best figures of 1/75, while also contributing 10 runs with the bat. Despite a difficult series, his ability to generate pace makes him Afghanistan's primary seam option.Afghanistan's Predicted Playing XI vs India- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Ikram Alikhil, Hashmatullah Shahidi (C), Mohammad Nabi, Nangeyalia Kharote, Rashid Khan, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Mohammad Saleem SafiAlso Read- MS Dhoni Pleaded To Join Indian Team To Replace Gautam Gambhir
