India’s road to the 2027 ODI World Cup begins with a fresh set of questions as the Men in Blue prepare to face Afghanistan in the opening ODI of the three-match series in Dharamsala. With senior players returning, a few selection dilemmas and emerging talents are expected to shape the team combination for the first match.
Battle for batting spots intensifies
The biggest talking point ahead of the series is the absence of Virat Kohli, who has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury during the IPL. His withdrawal has opened the door for Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was drafted into the squad as a replacement. However, fitting the left-hander into the playing XI is not straightforward given India’s settled opening options.
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Another contender for a middle-order role is Ishan Kishan. The wicketkeeper-batter has prior ODI experience and offers flexibility in the batting order.
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, and the rest of Team India putting in the hard yards at Dharamshala ahead of the first ODI vs Afghanistan 🔥
— Jara (@JARA_Memer) June 12, 2026
Will Prince Yadav get his debut cap tomorrow? pic.twitter.com/SeNXNa2hSW
His ability to score quickly and adapt to different situations could strengthen his case if the team management looks for an aggressive option in the middle overs.
New cycle, fresh opportunities
The Afghanistan series marks the start of India’s preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup and provides an opportunity to test combinations ahead of a packed international calendar. Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are back in contention, while several younger players will be eager to impress the selectors.
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India’s bowling attack could also see fresh faces. Young pacers and all-rounders have been included in the squad, giving the management a chance to assess bench strength. The spin department, meanwhile, is expected to feature experienced options as India seeks balance in its playing XI.
While Afghanistan remains a capable opponent in white-ball cricket, the focus will firmly be on India’s squad planning. The opening ODI is likely to provide valuable clues about the team’s long-term vision and the players being considered for the 2027 World Cup project.
