Aakash Chopra Favors Ishan Kishan for ODI Against Afghanistan

Ishan Kishan Selected to Replace Virat Kohli

In a recent analysis, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has opted for Ishan Kishan to fill in for the injured Virat Kohli at the number three position in India's lineup for the upcoming ODI against Afghanistan. Chopra described Kishan as 'God's favourite child', highlighting his ability to seize opportunities when they arise. Just six months ago, Kishan was not part of the Indian squad and lacked a contract with the BCCI. However, his fortunes changed dramatically after he led Jharkhand to its inaugural Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy victory, which earned him a call-up for the series leading up to the T20 World Cup, where he was positioned at one-down. His return to the ODI format has been marked by consistent performances, particularly during IPL 2026, following a dip in Rishabh Pant's popularity.

Aakash Chopra's Insights on Kishan

Chopra expressed confidence in Kishan's abilities, stating, "He’s in great form, and when he gets the No. 3 spot, I believe he will score runs. Whenever opportunities arise, it’s Ishan Kishan who steps in, performs, and secures his place in the team." Kishan boasts an impressive ODI record, having scored 933 runs in 27 matches with an average of 42.40 and a strike rate of 102.19, including a top score of 210 against Bangladesh. If selected, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has taken Kohli's spot in the squad, may find himself on the bench.

Aakash Chopra's Predicted XI

India's lineup is expected to include: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh, and Prince Yadav.