India will head into the third and last ODI towards Afghanistan with confidence firmly on their facet after sealing the sequence by successful the opening two matches in Dharamsala and Lucknow. With the competition already determined, Shubman Gill and his males will now shift their focus in the direction of finishing a 3-0 whitewash when the groups meet on the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on June 20.
In a well timed enhance earlier than the sequence finale, the Indian camp has welcomed again a key pace-bowling choice, strengthening the squad as they put together for the ultimate fixture.
Star pacer returns after prolonged damage layoff
The BCCI confirmed on Friday (June 19) that fast-bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana has been added to India’s squad for the third ODI after efficiently finishing his rehabilitation on the BCCI Centre of Excellence. Having regained full health, the 24-year-old has now joined the group in Chennai and is on the market for choice.
Rana has endured a irritating few months after struggling a knee damage throughout a warm-up match towards South Africa on February 4. The setback compelled him to overlook the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup earlier this 12 months, the place he was changed by Mohammed Siraj, and likewise dominated him out of IPL 2026, denying Kolkata Knight Riders the companies of considered one of their promising younger pacers.
Though he had already been named in India’s squads for the upcoming T20I assignments towards England and Eire, together with the Asian Video games in Japan, his inclusion within the ODI squad opens up the potential for an earlier-than-expected return to aggressive cricket.
Rana’s final look for India got here through the limited-overs sequence towards New Zealand earlier than the T20 World Cup. He impressed within the last ODI of that sequence by claiming three wickets and producing a precious unbeaten 52 off simply 43 deliveries from No. 8, highlighting his capability to contribute with each bat and ball.
Throughout 14 ODIs, the right-arm pacer has collected 26 wickets at a mean of 27.38 whereas additionally showcasing his lower-order batting expertise on a number of events.
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MA Chidambaram awaits last conflict as India chase whitewash
The ultimate ODI in Chennai now presents India with a possibility to complete the sequence on a excessive and keep their successful momentum. With the sequence already secured, the group administration might take into account rotating gamers and giving Rana a direct alternative in the event that they want to assess his match health below worldwide circumstances.
Because the motion shifts to Chennai, all eyes shall be on whether or not the returning pacer makes the taking part in XI and whether or not India can full a dominant 3-0 sweep towards Afghanistan earlier than turning their consideration to future worldwide assignments.
India’s up to date squad for the third ODI: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and the returning Harshit Rana.
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