TimesofIndia.com in Dharamsala: Injuries to Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya have left coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shibman Gill with many questions to answer as India’s road to the 2027 ODI World Cup begins on Saturday at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala, where they will take on Afghanistan in the first ODI of the three-match series.Who will bet on 3?If bowling coach Morne Morkel is to be believed, the management is trying to rotate two or three batsmen in Virat Kohli’s No.3 roles.“As far as the No. 3 spot is concerned, that is something we will look for during this series. Whether it is Ishan (Kishan), KL (Rahul) or Yashaswi (Jaiswal), it is a good opportunity,” he told reporters.“We’ve got a few one-day games coming up and we’ll give the boys opportunities in different positions to get a better idea of how we want to build the team and what options we have.”Filling Virat’s shoes at number three is going to be a big challenge for all three. Before Kohli got injured, Ishan Kishan was included in the team as a back-up opener and wicket-keeper. The TimesofIndia.com can confirm that the team management has long wanted to have a southpaw in the top three. Now with Virat’s injury, they will have a chance to pick either Ishaan or Jaiswal. However, Ishan Kishan looked ready to don the gloves as he had a lengthy session with fielding coach T Dileep after his batting session. Which means Jaiswal will have to wait. Meanwhile, KL Rahul, who has kept wickets in ODIs for the past three years and has made the No.6 slot his own, is set to become India’s most experienced batsman in the middle order. Should the management ask Rahul to bat at 3 in Kohli’s absence, India’s middle order will look weak.
NKR will replace Hardik.
Hardik Pandya’s absence has intensified India’s search for a replacement ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, and bowling coach Morne Morkel believes Nitish Kumar Reddy has earned his chance.“You always look at your options, be it batting, bowling or an all-rounder,” Morkel said.“Unfortunately, Hardik misses out on this series after taking quite a few swallows before joining the camp. But then again, it’s another chance for Nitish Kumar Reddy.“He has been playing beautifully for the last two years and has worked on his game a lot. Like new bowlers coming into the squad, it’s an opportunity for players in that role to put their hands up and maybe make life difficult for the selectors.”Nitish Kumar Reddy is by no means a finished product. He has certainly worked on his bowling with Stephen Jones but is he Hardik Pandya? There is a literal answer to this question: no. However, bowling morne Morkel praised the young all-rounder and said he is going to play on Saturday. “I always encourage players to work on their games and identify areas where they can improve,” Morkel said.“Nitish did that. From a technical point of view, it was about getting him in a better position, to create more balance so that the energy flows down the wicket. We believe he has improved in both areas of his game.“We’re excited to get an opportunity for him and see how he puts it together on the international stage,” Morkel added.
Grinnor and Prince have a chance.
With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj rested for the series, opening the door for the next generation of India’s fast bowlers, bowling coach Morne Morkel sees the Afghanistan series as an important step in building depth ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. “That’s certainly part of our thinking and our vision: to give ourselves an option for the World Cup in South Africa,” Morkel said. Admitting that “we know what Bumrah can do with the new ball,” he stressed the importance of exposing young bowlers to high-pressure international cricket. Morkel was particularly encouraged by his early impressions of Prince and Gurnor, with the pair working tirelessly during the lone Test against Afghanistan. He praised the pair’s cohesion and work ethic, saying, “It was as if they had been part of the squad for five years.” “They were right and on the money,” he added.
