India’s white-ball assignment after a long, gruelling Indian Premier League (IPL) starts less than a week after the T20 tournament wraps up, on June 6 – a one-off Test against Afghanistan followed by a three-match ODI series.

With the T20 World Cup now over, the focus will shift to the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in October-November. The Afghanistan series will provide a crucial insight into how selectors want to construct the squad for the next year and a half.

India has played three ODI series since winning the Champions Trophy in February 2025. Injuries and workload management have resulted in the team management rotating within a pool of 23-25 players.

Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have been notable absentees in the ODIs, resulting in India grooming Nitish Kumar Reddy in the format, while Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna have got regular opportunities in the XI.

Apart from that, India has also kept Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Dhruv Jurel in and around the ODI setup as backups.

Fitness concern for Rohit Sharma

The top order is all but sealed, with captain Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma as the default openers, followed by Virat Kohli at No. 3. However, selectors will keep a close eye on Rohit’s fitness, with the 39-year-old missing a few games in IPL 2026.

Even though Rohit has scored 268 runs in seven games for Mumbai Indians, the concern would be more about his ability to field for 50 overs and sustain long innings than his batting form. A right hamstring injury forced him to miss five consecutive matches before returning as an Impact Substitute in the next two games.

India, though, has a match-ready reserve opener in the form of the 24-year-old Jaiswal. His inclusion would also break the right-handed heavy top five, with Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul following Kohli in the batting order.

Who’s the backup keeper?

Rahul has been India’s middle-order mainstay for a long time and has cemented his No. 5 spot while also doubling up as wicketkeeper. His IPL form would also give the management a sigh of relief.

Rishabh Pant and Jurel have been in the backup mix for a while, but their IPL form has been inconsistent. While Pant has scored 251 runs in 11 matches despite shuffling in the batting order, Jurel has managed 314 runs in as many games while batting at No. 3.

With Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson in terrific touch since the T20 World Cup in February-March, they could give Pant and Jurel a run for their money. Kishan’s left-handedness could prove to be a differentiating factor and might earn him a return to the ODI setup, where he last featured in 2023.

Spin factor

Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are competing for one spot in the first XI, with the latter slightly ahead in the pecking order because of his better returns in the format. Jadeja wasn’t picked for the three ODIs in Australia last year, while Axar got the nod in away conditions. Jadeja’s diminishing returns in 50-over cricket could prove decisive in selection over the next one year. 

Washington Sundar brings in the off-spin option along with the ability to bat in the middle order. His recent form and the responsibility he has handled batting at No. 4 and 5 for Gujarat Titans under Gill could strengthen his case for a permanent spot in the 15.

The Gautam Gambhir-led management, though, would be scratching its head over the specialist spinner’s role, given Kuldeep Yadav’s poor form and Varun Chakaravarthy’s fitness struggles. Chakaravarthy’s absence from all three ODI series also suggests the management sees him primarily as a T20 option. But Kuldeep’s returns could yet bring Chakaravarthy back into conversations. 

Opportunity to test quicks

There is a strong possibility that Bumrah and Hardik will remain absent for the Afghanistan series. While Bumrah has played consistently this year, selectors may prefer to rest him and keep him fresh for the white-ball tour of England. Hardik, meanwhile, missed three matches for Mumbai Indians because of back spasms.

Even though the selectors would ideally want him back in the ODI setup, the emergence of Nitish Kumar – particularly because of his fast bowling – gives the committee some breathing room.

Harshit Rana, a crucial part of India’s white-ball plans over the last year, injured himself ahead of the T20 World Cup in February. His ability to bat at No. 8 and bowl pace would be difficult to replace. It remains to be seen how the management fills that void, at least against Afghanistan.

Any new faces?

Most of the squad appears settled. Over the next few series, especially the three matches against England in July, India will look to identify backups and fill the remaining gaps.

As the senior team resumes international duties, the India ‘A’ side will travel to Sri Lanka for a tri-series against Sri Lanka ‘A’ and Afghanistan ‘A’. The selection committee will keep a close watch on the Tilak-led side, which will play a minimum of four matches – five if it reaches the final – before the senior side leaves for the Ireland and England tour in July.

Seam bowlers like Arshad Khan and Anshul Kamboj, who also carry batting credentials, would fancy their chances to make an impression and find a place in the senior squad as backups for the number eight spot India would want to fill as quickly as possible.

Published on May 16, 2026