Injuries to Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya present India's coaching staff with significant selection challenges as they begin their 2027 ODI World Cup campaign against Afghanistan. Key decisions include who will bat at number 3 and who will replace Pandya's all-round capabilities, with several players vying for opportunities.
Pacer Harshit Rana has been asked to join the Indian ODI team ahead of the third match against Afghanistan. Selectors will not name a replacement for Hardik Pandya, with Rana rejoining the international setup after knee surgery. He is expected to be cleared on June 17 and will then travel to Chennai.
Bowling coach Morne Morkel revealed plans to expand India's pace reserves for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa, with youngsters Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar set to get opportunities against Afghanistan. The focus is on developing white-ball game and identifying seamers capable of performing in South African conditions.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra believes Shubman Gill needs to improve his ODI captaincy record, noting India's poor results under his leadership. Despite Gill's batting success, Chopra highlighted that India has won only two out of six ODIs led by Gill.
Former India cricketer Suresh Raina has urged the Indian team to find a reliable backup for all-rounder Hardik Pandya, citing his persistent fitness issues. Pandya's recurring injuries, including a recent quadriceps strain, have raised concerns about India's depth in pace-bowling all-rounders ahead of the next ODI World Cup.
Former India batter Suresh Raina has urged the need for a dependable backup for all-rounder Hardik Pandya ahead of the next ODI World Cup due to Pandya's recurring fitness issues. Pandya's recent quadriceps strain has ruled him out of the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan.
Kuldeep Yadav is prioritizing Test cricket for the upcoming Afghanistan series, using his IPL break for red-ball preparation. He aims to deliver breakthroughs and acknowledges the shift from T20s, emphasizing patience and consistency.
India's ODI squad for the Afghanistan series faces potential changes due to fitness issues with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. If they are unavailable, players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, and Devdutt Padikkal, with strong List A records, are contenders.
Virat Kohli is expected to miss India's ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury sustained during the IPL. Rohit Sharma's participation is also uncertain pending a fitness assessment. Both players' injuries could open up spots for Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, or Tilak Varma.
Rookie Indian all-rounder Harsh Dubey expressed his excitement on receiving his first national call-up for the upcoming series against Afghanistan. The 23-year-old is eager to play alongside legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma and observe captain Shubman Gill's leadership.
Hardik Pandya will report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on June 2 for fitness assessments ahead of the Afghanistan series. The Indian Test squad also begins training in Mullanpur for their one-off Test.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's exclusion from India's ODI and T20I squads has raised questions, with former selectors suggesting he should have been included in the India A setup. Despite strong performances, Jaiswal faces stiff competition from established players.
The BCCI is concerned about Rohit Sharma's fitness for the 2027 ODI World Cup due to a hamstring injury and age. Selectors are also evaluating Hardik Pandya's bowling ability. Backup openers are being considered.
18-year-old Prince Yadav received his maiden India ODI call-up for the series against Afghanistan. The fast bowler, who only started playing with a leather ball at 18, has impressed with his yorkers and wicket-taking ability in domestic and IPL cricket.
BCCI rescheduled the first India vs Afghanistan ODI to June 13. Shubman Gill to lead in Test & ODI. Rohit Sharma & Virat Kohli return for ODIs. Jadeja & Bumrah rested.
India announced squads for upcoming Afghanistan Test and ODI series. Shubman Gill will captain both, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in the ODI team. Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are rested. Rishabh Pant is out of the ODI squad.
India's selection committee meets May 19 to pick squads for Afghanistan series & discuss 2027 World Cup plans. Future of Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja in focus due to fitness & form.
India's selection committee meets May 19 to pick squads for Afghanistan series & discuss 2027 ODI World Cup. Fitness & form are key, with futures of Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja under scrutiny. Hardik Pandya's bowling workload and Nitish Kumar Reddy's development are also on the agenda.
Former India spinner Sairaj Bahutule is poised to become the Indian men's team's spin-bowling coach for the next two years. With extensive experience, including with the Punjab Kings and at the NCA, Bahutule's appointment aims to bolster India's spin attack. His tenure is expected to commence with the Afghanistan series in June. The Team India coaching setup currently includes batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, fast-bowling coach Morne Morkel, fielding coach T Dilip and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, with Bahutule now set to fill the spin-bowling coach’s role.
