Rohit Sharma has a lot to prove as India begin their World Cup 2027 journey

The journey to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia begins for India and Afghanistan in the shadow of the Dhauladhar mountains in Dharamsala. It is fitting that India start their campaign at the summit as they are going to the summit in two years time. The World Cup is taking place on the American continent. India Women will begin their T20 World Cup campaign on Sunday. Shubman Gill’s men, meanwhile, away from the glare of the brighter lights, begin their quieter and longer journey to next year’s ODI World Cup.

With Virat Kohli ruled out of the series due to injury, all eyes will be on Rohit Sharma, who will be 41 when the ODI World Cup is played in October-November next year.

And there is a lot going for Rohit in these three matches. Neither he nor Kohli are automatic picks anymore; the selectors made it clear. Rohit is coming to this series he was racing against time to recover from the hamstring injury that plagued him throughout the IPL 2026 season and limited him to just nine matches. He managed 283 runs while operating mostly as an Impact Player.

Unlike Kohli, who let his batting do the talking for another winning season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rohit has something to prove to the selectors.

FIT-AGAIN ROHIT EYES BIG RUNS

At least the reassurance is that he is fit and ready. Bowling coach Morne Morkel confirmed this on the eve of the match.

“It’s always nice to have his experience back. Just the calmness he brings to the dressing room is always, always positive. He trains well, he moves well. I know he’s excited to go tomorrow,” Morkel said.

While Rohit played a key role in India’s ODI tour of Australia last year, he managed just 61 runs at an average of 20.33 in the three-match series against New Zealand earlier this year. With age not on his side, every series is now a testing ground. A repeat of the form from the 2025 season — 650 runs at an average of 50 in 14 matches — will serve him well.

However, the focus will not be solely on the old guard. India will also use this series to test their depth in the absence of Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. Yashasvi Jaiswal, added to the squad as cover, is the designated midfielder and will be one of the options India are looking at at the No.3 position — along with KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan. Morkel confirmed this and hinted that the management will rotate the three in this slot across the series.

Picked as the second wicket, Ishan is likely to keep the gloves in the series opener – if Friday’s practice was any indication – and bat at No.3.

India also have fresh faces in the pace department. Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar have been added to the squad and one of them could make his debut on Saturday in the pair alongside Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep SIngh, who leads the new-ball attack in Bumrah’s absence.

CAN NITISH REDDY STEP UP?

Nitish Reddy (left) to replace Hardik Pandya in ODI series (PTI Photo)

Then there is Nitish Reddy who steps into a bigger role with Hardik Pandya ruled out due to injury. Under Morkel, Nitish has had room to improve his bowling and this series will be a real test of that development – especially his ability to contribute with the ball at international level.

“I always encourage the boys to go out and when they get an opportunity, work on and develop their own game. Nitish has done that. From a technical point of view, we’ve worked on creating more balance so that the energy flows down the wicket – there’s improvement in both departments. We’re excited to see it come together on the international stage,” Morkel said.

Washington Sundar and Harsh Dubey join Kuldeep Yadav in the spin group. Both all-rounders will be closely monitored by management as they continue to build a likely World Cup squad.

But India cannot afford to take Afghanistan lightly – and it would be unwise to try. Yes, they dumped Richard Pybus’ side in the one-off Test last week, but Afghanistan are far more dangerous in white-ball cricket. Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi and Allah Ghazanfar form a formidable trident and Sediqullah Atal brings flair and enterprise to an impressive batting unit, so Afghanistan will be much more than draws in this ODI series.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Dharamsala is as picturesque as a world cricket venue, but the HPCA stadium is more than just a backdrop. A ball that is set high moves quickly out of bounds, which usually offers decent pace and bounce. Some swing is expected with the new ball, although it’s generally a batsman-friendly pitch – chasing teams have won five ODIs here to four for batting first. The last ODI at the venue, during the 2023 World Cup, saw Australia all out for 388, with New Zealand desperately trailing by five runs – a reminder that big scores are on the table.

However, the weather may have been a factor. Light rain is expected in the afternoon, temperatures will be around 17°C and humidity 74 percent. If the heavens open, the pitch will offer more to the bowlers and the outfield will slow down, making the pitching – and the captain’s reading of the conditions – all the more important. Both sides may prefer to bowl first.

TEAM NEWS AND PREDICTIONS XI

India

The conversation around the line-up has focused almost entirely on the No.3 position. Morkel confirmed that India will rotate the options across the series – Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal all in contention. In the series opener, Ishan Kishan looks likely to get the nod at No.3, with his attacking intent offering a different dimension to the top order. Jaiswal, who is more naturally suited to open, is likely to be kept in the back-row while Rahul is better placed at No.5, a position in which he has established himself with consistent performances.

One of Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar is set to make his ODI debut as he teams up with Prasidh Krishna and Arshdeep Singh in the pace attack. Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Harsh Dubey provide spin cover.

India predicted XI: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav.

Afghanistan

Rashid Khan joins Dharamsala straight away after his IPL campaign, while Mohammad Nabi – already with the team – is said to be unwell, which could give way to one of their younger options. Fast bowler Mohammad Saleem, who impressed in the one-off Test in New Chandigarh, has been added to the ODI squad and could start depending on the conditions – either for Bilal Sami or in place of one of the spinners.

Afghanistan Predicted XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Allah Ghazanfar, Zia ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik

– The end

Issued by:

Akshay Ramesh

Published on:

13 Jun 2026 07:56 IST