India vs Afghanistan live score: India have already clinched the ODI series against Afghanistan with convincing victories in Dharamsala and Lucknow, but there is still a lot at stake before the third and final ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.
With a 2-0 lead in the bag, Shubman Gill’s side will aim to complete a clean sweep while also continuing to assess the depth of their squad ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Team India focused on experimentation
India entered the series with the clear aim of assessing their bench strength, and that process is expected to continue in Chennai. Assistant coach Ryan Ten Deutschat confirmed that changes will be made to the starting lineup for the Dead Rubber.
The series has already brought up many positives. Ishan Kishan took his chance, culminating in a stinging century in Lucknow while batting at number four. Captain Shubman Gill continued his rich form, smashing a majestic 154 in the second ODI and proving equally effective at number three in Virat Kohli’s absence.
Young player Jurnor Brar has also impressed with his pace, bounce and ability to hit difficult distances, attributes that could prove valuable in South African conditions during the 2027 World Cup.
India are expected to give more chances to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is evaluated as a left-handed opener and a backup prospect to Rohit Sharma. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is now fully fit after recovering from a thigh injury, remains in the spotlight as India looks for an all-round solution in the absence of Hardik Pandya. Prince Yadav and Harsh Dubey are also likely to remain in contention as the team continues to evaluate the next generation of talent.
KL Rahul could be rested after the series win, opening the door for Kishan to continue behind the stumps. Fast bowler Harshit Rana also returned to the team after recovering from knee surgery.
Afghanistan win consolation Al Ain
For Afghanistan, the final ODI represents an opportunity to avoid a series of whitewashes and end the tour on a positive note. The visitors were completely outplayed in Lucknow, with India scoring a mammoth 402 after Afghanistan opted to bowl first. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted after the defeat that his team simply “weren’t good enough” that day.
Afghanistan’s struggles stem largely from an inconsistent batting line-up and the absence of key players. Veteran pacer Mohammad Nabi missed the second ODI due to a viral infection, while Azmatullah Omarzai was sidelined due to an injury. If both of them pass the fitness tests, they are expected to return for the final series.
The visitors will once again rely heavily on opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz and star Rashid Khan, the two biggest match-winners, to challenge a confident Indian side.
Pitch and weather report
The match will be played on Pitch No. 4 in Chibok, a red soil surface that traditionally provides good bounce and load. While Chennai has long been known for its spin-friendly conditions, recent matches have produced more batting-friendly tracks. However, as the game progresses, quality spinners like Rashid Khan can still extract the grip and variable bounce.
The weather is expected to be hot and humid, with temperatures reaching around 35 degrees Celsius. Although there is a small chance of rain in the afternoon, conditions are expected to remain largely suitable for a full match.
With the series already decided, India will look to continue building towards the future, while Afghanistan will look to show pride and a much-improved performance in the final ODI.
