🏏India vs Afghanistan, 3rd ODI, AFG tour of India 2026, Chennai🏏 - Page 2

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Thank you for the tag ☺️

Good luck to team India

Thank you Soni for the thread and for tagging.

Best wishes to both teams, but, a bit more for India.

India have already sealed the series 2-0 after a massive win in Lucknow which underlined the depth in their squad once more. The emergence of Gurnoor Brar has been a big takeaway while there are also good signs in the form of Prince Yadav and Harsh Dubey as they look to build a strong pool of players leading into the 2027 World Cup. There's also much to cheer about the return of Harshit Rana who has been added to the squad for this match after recovering from knee surgery, although it remains to be seen if India will rush him into action immediately. What's certain is that we can expect more changes in the XI today as the hosts look to solidify their bench strength.

A red-soil pitch is on the cards for today and there should be good bounce on offer.

Afghanistan, in contrast, don't have much to write home about. They've been completely outplayed and barring that hundred from Rahmanullah Gurbaz in the first ODI, there isn't much that they can look back on very fondly. But it's a new opportunity here in Chennai and they'll be desperate to at least put on an improved show. Their fielding coach John Mooney stressed on the importance of doing the basics well, and that's one thing that perhaps let them down in Lucknow as the bowlers missed their lengths very often.

Originally posted by: SoniRita

With wins over Afghanistan in Dharamsala and Lucknow, India have already wrapped up the ODI series but there's still work to do. With next year's World Cup on the horizon and limited opportunities left in the format, the third ODI in Chennai carries a lot of significance.

India came into the series looking to test their depth and that process is set to continue on Saturday. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that changes will be made. "We will be making a few changes from the first two games. I think part of the brief coming into the series was we wanted to try a few different combinations and give everyone a fair share of games," Morkel said.

The series has already provided a few encouraging signs. Ishan Kishan has made the most of his opportunities, culminating in a brilliant hundred in Lucknow while batting at No.4. Skipper Shubman Gill scored a hundred at No. 3 in the absence of Virat Kohli. Gurnoor Brar, meanwhile, has impressed with his pace, bounce and ability to trouble batters from awkward lengths, and has looked like a good fit for South African conditions, where most of the 2027 World Cup will be played.

That said, India would like to tick a few more boxes. Yashasvi Jaiswal is confirmed to get another chance as the team continues to look at Rohit Sharma's back-up and left-handed options at the top of the order. Chennai is set to bring further opportunities for Nitish Reddy, who's on an extended audition as the India all-rounder in Hardik Pandya's absence; Prince Yadav, who had a tougher introduction to international cricket; and Harsh Dubey, who missed the previous game but showed enough on debut to suggest he belongs at this level.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will be desperate to avoid a whitewash. Their decision to bowl first in Lucknow proved costly as India racked up 402, and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted afterwards that his side was "not good enough" on the day. While the visitors have been outplayed for large parts of the series, they will view the final ODI as an opportunity to show they can compete better against one of the world's leading sides.

Thank you for the tags Soni!!

Go boys

Afghanistan captain wrote changes in his handAs last time he forgot some

Cute guy

KL benched

https://x.com/ImTanujSingh/status/2068230138232447267