If there are fitness concerns, India may have to make changes to their ODI squad for the upcoming Afghanistan series. Virat Kohli And Rohit Sharma Not resolved on time.According to a report by Times of India.com, Kohli is likely to be ruled out of the three-match ODI series due to a hamstring injury. While Rohit’s availability is uncertain as he is yet to get fitness clearance from BCCI’s Center of Excellence. If one or both senior batsmen are unavailable, the selectors may revisit several players who have a strong record in List A cricket and are on the fringes of the ODI setup.Yeshsavi Jaiswal Among the leading candidates. The left-hander made a strong impression in his last ODI with an unbeaten 116 against South Africa. Despite playing just four ODIs, he has already scored 171 runs at an average of 57.00. His domestic ODI record is equally impressive, having scored 1,746 runs at an average of 51.35 in 39 List A matches, including six centuries and seven fifties. Jaiswal also enjoyed a good IPL 2026 season, scoring 427 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 152.50.Rituraj Gaikwad There is also success in recent ODIs from his side. The right-hander scored a century in his recent ODI innings for India against South Africa. While his international record is 228 runs in nine matches, his List A numbers illustrate his consistency. Gaekwad has scored 5,060 runs at an average of 58.83 in 99 List A matches, including 20 centuries and 19 fifties. His IPL 2026 campaign was relatively modest, scoring 337 runs in 16 matches.Tilak Verma Another option remains. Although he has only played five ODIs and scored 68 runs, his domestic record highlights his potential. Tilak has scored 1,867 runs at an average of 46.67 in 47 List A matches, including six centuries and ten fifties. He scored 359 runs at a strike rate of 145.93 for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026.Meanwhile, Devdutt Padikal is yet to make his ODI debut for India but has boasted impressive numbers in List A. The Karnataka batsman has scored 2,796 runs at an average of 82.23 in just 42 List A matches, including 13 centuries and 14 fifties. He also impressed during IPL 2026, scoring 464 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 168.73.
| the player | ODI record | List a record | IPL 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yeshsavi Jaiswal | 171 runs in 4 matches, average 57.00, HS 116* | 1746 runs in 39 matches, average 51.35, 6 centuries, 7 fifties | 427 runs in 16 matches, average 30.50, SR 152.50 |
| Rituraj Gaikwad | 228 runs in 9 matches, average 28.50, 1 hundred, 1 fifty | 5,060 runs in 99 matches, average 58.83, 20 centuries, 19 fifties | 337 runs in 16 matches, average 28.08, SR 123.44 |
| Tilak Verma | 68 runs in 5 matches, average 22.67 | 1,867 runs in 47 matches, average 46.67, 6 centuries, 10 fifties | 359 runs in 14 matches, average 29.92, SR 145.93 |
| Devdat Padikal | Still to debut. | 2796 runs in 42 matches, average 82.23, 13 centuries, 14 fifties | 464 runs in 16 matches, average 33.14, SR 168.73 |
With the Afghanistan series looming and uncertainty surrounding the fitness of Kohli and Rohit, the selectors may need a number of proven performers to consider vacancies in the squad.
