India And afghanistan They are set to begin their three-match ODI series on June 13 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. This series marks India’s return to ODI cricket ipl 2026Many exciting young earning opportunities alongside established stars.
led by Rohit Sharma And Shubman GillThe Men in Blue will aim to start the series with a win. Meanwhile, Afghanistan comes with a competitive squad that includes several proven performers in white-ball cricket. The conditions in Dharamsala are expected to favor seam bowlers initially, so team selection could play an important role in determining the outcome of the opening encounter.
Aakash Chopra reveals his Indian XI for the first ODI
Former Indian batsman and cricket analyst Aakash Chopra Has shared his favorite playing eleven for the series opener. Chopra has largely supported India’s experienced core, while also making room for one of the most promising uncapped players in the team. According to Chopra, India should continue with Rohit and Shubman as the opening pair. The pair has been India’s favorite combination in the 50-over format and provides both stability and attacking intent at the top of the order.
The biggest topic of discussion in Chopra’s selection is his inclusion. Ishan Kishan At number 3. Former India opener believes Kishan should be given first priority Yashasvi Jaiswal In the opening ODI, the left-handed batsman got a chance to make an impact in the middle order. Chopra has Shreyas Iyer And KL Rahul Occupying the No. 4 and No. 5 positions respectively. Both the batsmen have been key performers for India in ODI cricket and add valuable experience to the middle order.
with uncertainty all around Hardik Pandya’s Availability, Chopra has determined Nitish Kumar Reddy at number 6 Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) The all-rounder impressed during IPL 2026 and could be handed a bigger role in the national team if given a chance. washington beautiful Completes Chopra’s top seven, providing balance with his all-round abilities.
Also read: IND vs AFG: 3 reasons why Rohit Sharma can score a century against Afghanistan in the ODI series
Prince Yadav supported on international debut
The bowling attack chosen by Chopra is a mix of youth and experience. wrist-spinner -Kuldeep Yadav Whereas, the only specialist spinner in the eleven is Prasidh Krishna And Arshdeep Singh He is expected to lead the pace attack. The most notable inclusion is that of the young fast bowler Prince YadavWhom Chopra believes can earn him his first international cap.
Prince has impressed in domestic cricket and has earned a place in India’s ODI squad along with fellow newcomers Harsh Dubey And Gurnoor Brar. Chopra feels the youngster’s ability to generate pace and extract movement could make him an exciting option in Dharamsala’s pace-friendly conditions. With Reddy capable of contributing with the ball as well, India will have a number of seam-bowling options.
Aakash Chopra’s India XI for the first ODI against Afghanistan: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav.
A golden opportunity for the next generation of India
The Afghanistan series presents a great opportunity for India’s budding players to make a strong impression at the international level. With major ICC events underway, the performance of players like Reddy, Prince, Dubey and Brar could impact India’s long-term plans in the ODI format. Also, senior stars like Rohit, Shubman and Rahul will be keen to set the tone for the series and ensure that India start their domestic season with a great performance.
