Rotating the pack: India looks to test bench strength in final Afghanistan ODI

With an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, the Indian camp signals a tactical shift, hinting at a rested Arshdeep Singh and a fixed middle-order role for KL Rahul.

The Chepauk heat was unforgiving during Friday’s optional net session, but the focus for Team India was clearly on long-term strategy rather than just the immediate task of completing a series sweep. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate made it clear that while India has already pocketed the series against Afghanistan, the third ODI remains a laboratory for tactical flexibility.

Addressing the media, Ten Doeschate confirmed that KL Rahul will continue to bat down the order, putting to rest any lingering debates about moving him up the lineup. The management is prioritising a look at Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is expected to partner Rohit Sharma at the top once again. “The versatility of the batting line-up is fantastic,” Ten Doeschate said. “We want to have a good look at Yashasvi as well. Obviously, he didn’t get around to scoring the last game, so, he will probably get another go.”

Managing the workload

The coaching staff is leaning heavily into a rotation policy. Arshdeep Singh, who has been a standout performer in the first two matches, is the primary candidate to be rested. With Prasidh Krishna available and rested from the previous encounter, he could slot into the pace attack. While Harshit Rana has joined the squad, the management may prefer the experience of Krishna for this fixture.

Ten Doeschate also provided a clean bill of health for skipper Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan. Both had brief injury scares during the high-intensity second match in Lucknow—Gill with calf cramps and Kishan with a shoulder concern—but both are fully fit. The coach sounded particularly pleased with Kishan’s evolution, noting that the youngster is successfully transitioning from a slam-bang T20 specialist into a more measured ODI batter.

Why it matters

This series serves as a crucial bridge for the team management. By refusing to tinker with the top three while simultaneously rotating the bowling attack, the side is establishing a hierarchy. They are creating a clear identity for the middle order, where Rahul’s stability is viewed as a fixed asset rather than a variable. The decision to rest frontline bowlers like Arshdeep isn't just about fatigue management; it’s a calculated effort to build depth. In a long season, having a second-string bowler ready to perform at an international level is the difference between a winning squad and a dependent one. The shift signals a move toward a more robust, "plug-and-play" model where the absence of a star player doesn't disrupt the team’s overall tactical blueprint.