Indian wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul is not playing in the third ODI against Afghanistan on Saturday, June 20 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. This decision is entirely part of the Indian cricket team’s workload management plan, and the wicketkeeper batsman is fully fit and has no injuries.
After spectacular wins in Dharamsala and Lucknow, India have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. With the series already secured, the team management has used the third and final ODI to test its bench strength and give a chance to the players waiting on the sidelines.
Why is KL Rahul not playing IND vs AFG 3rd ODI today?
India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate explained the team’s thinking behind making several changes in the playing eleven. He said that the coaching staff wanted to test different combinations and give more players a chance, as well as manage the workload of key players ahead of a busy schedule.
“We will make some changes from the first two games. Part of the brief coming into the series was that we wanted to try some different combinations and give everyone a fair share of the game. Someone like Arshdeep has bowled very well in the first two games; he might be rested tomorrow, and the same goes for one of the batsmen. We will change them and go back to playing a slightly different team.”
Times of India sports journalist Pratyush Raj said that KL Rahul will be rested for the third ODI. However, India would like to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma only.
KL Rahul will be rested today https://t.co/F25rBJ04p7
– Pratyush Raj (@pratyush93_raj) June 20, 2026
How was KL Rahul’s performance in the first two ODIs against Afghanistan?
KL Rahul’s results in the first two ODI matches against Afghanistan were mixed. In the opening match in Dharamsala, he played an important unbeaten inning of 39 runs in just 19 balls. Rahul hit four fours and three sixes in the rain-interrupted match. He also hit the winning four while chasing India’s target of 195 runs.
However, the wicketkeeper-batsman had a disappointing performance in the second ODI in Lucknow. Despite India scoring a mammoth total of 402 runs, Rahul was out for a golden duck. Afghanistan’s left-arm spinner Nangeyalia Kharote dismissed him on the very first ball.
Rahul is one of India’s most reliable ODI batsmen. He has scored 3,399 runs in 96 matches at an impressive average of 50.73, which includes eight centuries and 20 half-centuries. He has also hit 263 fours and 79 sixes during his ODI career.
All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy will return to the playing eleven. The young all-rounder is expected to return to the team after being out of the second ODI due to injury.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is also likely to return to the team and open the innings with captain Rohit Sharma. The team management wants to give the left-hander valuable game time and help him regain form after a string of low scores.
In the bowling department, Harshit Rana is expected to replace Arshdeep SinghWhich can be given rest. Meanwhile, Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar are likely to retain their places after impressive performances in Lucknow.
Team India’s probable playing XI for the third ODI: Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill (captain), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav/Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav.
