India Prepares for ODI Series Against Afghanistan Amid Key Player Absences

India is gearing up for an ODI series against Afghanistan, but the team will be without star players Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya due to injuries. Cricket analyst Aakash Chopra has shared his predicted playing XI, which includes a debutant. The first match is set for June 13 in Dharamsala. Will India overcome these challenges and secure a win? Read on to find out more about the lineup and the match details.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 12, 2026, 21:35 IST

India's ODI Comeback Against Afghanistan

India is set to return to One Day International (ODI) cricket with a series against Afghanistan, kicking off on Saturday, June 13. Unfortunately, the team faces significant setbacks as both Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya have been ruled out due to injuries. Kohli is dealing with a hamstring issue, while Pandya, despite passing a fitness test at the BCCI's Center of Excellence, has sustained another injury. There is hope that both players may be back for the upcoming series against England.

In anticipation of the match, cricket analyst Aakash Chopra shared his predicted playing XI, which features a debutant. He stated, "In my lineup, I have included Shubman Gill alongside Rohit Sharma. Since there is still uncertainty regarding Hardik Pandya's status, I am assuming he will not play. I expect Ishan Kishan to bat at No. 3, followed by Shreyas Iyer at No. 4, KL Rahul at No. 5, and Nitish Kumar Reddy at No. 6, with Washington Sundar at No. 7," as mentioned on his YouTube channel.

Chopra continued, "At No. 8, I see Kuldeep Yadav, and for the last three spots, I would choose Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Prince Yadav. This lineup could be what we see, with Nitish Kumar Reddy playing a crucial role." He also highlighted Ishan Kishan's inclusion, noting that he hasn't participated in an ODI since 2023, while Yashasvi Jaiswal, who replaced Kohli, was not included in the final XI despite having scored a century in his last ODI appearance.

Chopra has given Prince Yadav the opportunity to debut over Gurnoor Brar, who was part of the Test squad but did not make his debut. The first ODI between India and Afghanistan is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, in Dharamsala, starting at 1:30 PM IST.

Aakash Chopra's Predicted XI for the First ODI

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav