India’s ODI Squad: Virat, Rohit Back, Bumrah Out

India’s ODI Squad for Afghanistan Series Announced

India’s team for the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan has been finalized, with several key players set to return to the 50-over format. The selection includes senior batters like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who are expected to make a comeback next month.

Shubman Gill is reported to lead the squad for the three-match ODI series, with Shreyas Iyer as vice-captain. This series will be part of a broader schedule that includes a single Test match and the ODI games, all set to take place in June following the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

Schedule of Matches

The lone Test match between India and Afghanistan is scheduled to take place from June 6 to June 10 at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. It will not be part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle. The ODI series will start on June 14 in Dharamsala, followed by matches in Lucknow on June 17 and in Chennai on June 20.

Return of Key Players

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli last played for India in the ODI series against New Zealand earlier this year. Their inclusion in the squad against Afghanistan marks their return to the 50-over setup.

The reported squad also features Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. A notable addition is Ishan Kishan, who is making a comeback to the ODI squad after a long period away from the format.

Tilak Varma, a left-handed batsman, has also been included despite having only played in T20 matches over the past year. However, Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel have reportedly been excluded from the ODI squad.

Bowling Strategy and Team Balance

Jasprit Bumrah, known for his pace, is expected to be rested from the series to manage his workload. Mohammed Siraj is likely to lead the pace attack, alongside Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna. Kuldeep Yadav will serve as the main spinner, while all-rounders Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, and Nitish Kumar Reddy will provide balance to the team.

This ODI series is seen as an opportunity for India to experiment with different combinations ahead of major ICC events. It also allows regular players to gain match practice after the IPL.