1st ODI between India And afghanistan Scheduled to be played on June 13 HPCA Stadium In Dharamshala. Shubman Gill The Indian team will continue to lead the way, while Afghanistan will rely on their strong spin attack and explosive batting. India enter the series as favourites, but will miss their big man who has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Abhishek Nair reveals his Indian XI for the first ODI
Former Indian cricketer and current analyst Abhishek Nair Has shared his preferred playing XI for the opening ODI, focusing on a balanced combination of youth, experience and all-round depth. His selection highlights the aggressive top-order intent and multiple bowling options suitable for Dharamshala conditions.
Star opener: aggression on top
Nair’s XI starts with a dynamic and aggressive top order. He has supported Gill and Rohit Sharma As the primary opening pair, combining consistency with world-class experience. adding more firepower, Yashasvi Jaiswal Has also been included in the top order, giving India the flexibility to change roles depending on the pitch conditions and match situation. This attacking combination signals India’s intent to dominate the powerplay and put Afghanistan under immediate pressure.
Solid middle order: stability comes power
The middle order in Nair’s lineup is built around stability and adaptability. Shreyas Iyer Whereas, is expected to open the innings KL Rahul Provides versatility, able to bat at multiple positions depending on the playing situation. to add to the balance hardik pandyaWho brings valuable seam bowling options as well as explosive finishing ability. His presence ensures that India maintains depth in both the batting and bowling departments. This core is designed to handle both early wickets and high-pressure chases, providing India with a flexible batting structure that can adapt to different match scenarios.
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All-round depth and bowling attack
Nair has emphasized on balancing spin and pace in his eleven. washington beautiful And Harsh Dubey Provide spin variety and batting depth in the lower middle order. In the speed department, Arshdeep Singh And Gurnoor Brar It has been included to take advantage of early swing conditions in the cool climate of Dharamshala. His role will be important in breaking Afghanistan’s top order quickly. For the final bowling slot, Nair has kept the flexibility in mind suggesting either -Kuldeep Yadav Or an additional seamer depending on the behavior of the pitch.
Abhishek Nair’s India XI for the first ODI: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey, Arshdeep Singh, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav/Additional Seamer.
Fans will miss the presence of Virat Kohli
The biggest talking point before the first ODI is his absence Virat KohliAnd fans are expected to feel his missing presence deeply. Known for his unmatched consistency, intensity and ability to craft innings under pressure, Kohli has been a central figure in India’s ODI success for over a decade. His absence due to a hamstring injury not only weakens India’s experienced core but also takes away a huge audience attraction, especially in such a high-profile series. For many supporters, watching India play without Kohli in the playing eleven feels incomplete, as his energy and match-winning performances on the field have often defined key moments in Indian cricket.
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