CHENNAI: From a rain-curtailed opener in Dharamsala to a run-fest in the scorching Lucknow heat and now to Chennai’s unforgiving humidity, India and Afghanistan have travelled the length of the country for this three-match ODI series.
The series may already be sealed, with India taking an unassailable 2-0 lead, but there is still plenty at stake when the teams meet at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday. For India, it is an opportunity to test new combinations and also carry momentum into next month’s limited-overs tour to Ireland and England.
Chennai has witnessed widespread thunderstorms over the past couple of days, but the showers have done little to ease the oppressive conditions. Even with another spell of rain forecast for Saturday afternoon, players are expected to contend with intense heat and high humidity.
India skipper Shubman Gill has led from the front throughout the series. Having secured his maiden ODI series victory as captain, the opener has hit the purple patch. Gill followed up a century in the one-off Test with an unbeaten 84 in Dharamsala and a commanding 154 in Lucknow. Such has been his confidence that he revealed after the second ODI that he had set his sights on a double hundred.
In just five ODIs this year, Gill has amassed 373 runs at an astonishing average of 93.25, including a century and three half-centuries. His 224-run stand with Ishan Kishan in Lucknow laid the foundation for India’s mammoth total. At one stage, even 450 no longer appeared out of reach as India raced past 300 inside 36 overs before eventually crossing the 400-run mark.
Kishan, meanwhile, continues to strengthen his case for a permanent return to India’s ODI setup. Having forced his way back into contention ahead of the T20 World Cup, the wicketkeeper-batter underlined his credentials with a blazing century in Lucknow.
There are others with points to prove. Rohit Sharma fell agonisingly short of a half-century in Lucknow and will be eager to leave his mark as he eyes a place in India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup. Shreyas Iyer, after scores of 12 and 26 in the first two matches, will be keen to convert his starts into a substantial innings.
The bowlers too have impressed. Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and Gurnoor Brar picked up three wickets apiece in the second ODI, while debutant Prince Yadav claimed two. Gurnoor, in particular, has made an immediate impact, returning figures of 3/27 on debut in Dharamsala.
For Afghanistan, the final ODI is all about earning some consolation. Chasing more than 400 in the second match, they never looked capable of threatening India’s total despite contributions from Rahmat Shah (79) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (41). While Gurbaz has once again shown flashes of brilliance, Afghanistan continue to search for greater support from the rest of their batting unit.
Chepauk, however, holds fond memories for the visitors. The last time Afghanistan played an ODI at the venue, they produced one of the biggest upsets of the 2023 World Cup, defeating Pakistan by eight wickets in a memorable chase.
Rana returns
Harshit Rana, the pace-bowling all-rounder, has been added to the squad after completing his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence. He is expected to walk into the playing XI.
Rana was ruled out of the T20 World Cup earlier this year after suffering a knee injury during a warm-up match against South Africa and subsequently missed IPL 2026 with Kolkata Knight Riders. Although he was named in India’s squads for the T20I series against England and Ireland, as well as the Asian Games in Japan, he is yet to make his competitive return.
Rana last represented India in the white-ball series against New Zealand before the T20 World Cup and made a significant impact in the final ODI. In 14 ODIs, he has taken 26 wickets at an average of 27.38.
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