Ishan Kishan and KL Rahul (BCCI photo)
TimesofIndia.com in Dharamsala: Injuries to Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya have left coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Shubman Gill with several 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 hit at 3?If bowling coach Morne Morkel is to be believed, the management is looking to rotate two or three batsmen in Virat Kohli’s No. 3 role.
“As for the No. 3 position, that is something we will explore during this series. Whether it is Ishan (Kishan), KL (Rahul) or Yashavi (Jaiswal), it is a great opportunity,” he told reporters.“We have a few one-day games coming up and we will give players opportunities in different positions to get a better idea of how we want to structure the squad and what options we have.”Filling Virat’s shoes at No. 3 will be a big challenge for all of them. Ishan Kishan was selected as the reserve opener and wicket-keeper in the team before Kohli’s injury. TimesofIndia.com can confirm that the team management has long wanted to have a southpaw in the top three. Now with Virat injured, they will have a chance to choose either Ishan or Jaiswal. However, Ishan Kishan looked ready to don the gloves as he had an extended session with fielding coach T Dilip after the batting session.
Which means Jaiswal will have to wait. Meanwhile, KL Rahul, who has kept wickets in ODIs for the last three years and made his own No.6, will be India’s most experienced batsman in the middle order. Will the management ask Rahul to bat at 3 in Kohli’s absence, in which case India’s middle order will look fragile.
NKR is set to replace Hardik
Hardik Pandya’s absence has accelerated India’s search for replacements 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, whether it’s batting, bowling or all-rounders,” Morkel said.“Unfortunately, Hardik is missing this series after being troubled badly before joining the camp. But again, it’s another opportunity for Nitish Kumar Reddy.“He has bowled beautifully over the last couple of years and done a lot of work on his game. Like the new bowlers coming into the team, it’s an opportunity for players in that role to raise their hands and perhaps make life difficult for the selectors.”Nitish Kumar Reddy is by no means a ready-made product. He has certainly worked on his bowling with Stephen Jones, but is it Hardik Pandya? The one-word answer to this question is: no. However, Morne Morkel’s bowlers have praised the young all-rounder and have predicted that he will bowl on Saturday. “I always encourage players to work on their games and identify areas where they can improve,” Morkel said.“Nitish did that. Technically, it was about putting him in a better position, creating more balance so the power flows down the wicket.
We think there is improvement in both parts of his game.“We are excited for him to get the opportunity to see how he puts it together on the international stage,” Morkel added.
Gurnor and the prince get their chance
With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj rested for the series, it has opened the door for India’s next generation of fast bowlers, with bowling coach Morne Morkel seeing the Afghanistan series as an important step in building depth ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. “This is definitely part of our thinking and vision: to give ourselves options for the World Cup in South Africa,” Morkel said. While admitting that “we know what Bumrah can do with the new ball,” he stressed the importance of exposing young bowlers to the high pressure of international cricket. Morkel was particularly encouraged by his early impressions of Prince and Gornor, having worked with the duo tirelessly during the one-off Test against Afghanistan. “It felt like they had been part of the team for five years,” he said, praising the duo’s composure and work ethic. “They were meticulous and on the money,” he added.