# India vs Afghanistan First ODI in Dharamshala: Kohli Out, Rahul Eyed at No. 3 and Ishan Kishan Set for Keeping Comeback

> India and Afghanistan open their three-match ODI series in Dharamshala on June 13, with KL Rahul tipped for the No. 3 slot and Ishan Kishan likely to take over wicketkeeping duties.

**Category:** Cricket · **Published:** 2026-06-13 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/dharmashala-men-ind-vs-afg-pahala-vanade-aja-kohali-bahara-rahula-tisare-nnbara--260

There is plenty riding on the action that gets underway today. India and Afghanistan are meeting in a bilateral ODI series for the very first time, and the opening contest of this three-match rubber will be staged at the Dharamshala stadium on June 13. For Team India, however, the series is far more than just three games — it marks the starting point of their build-up to the ODI World Cup scheduled for October 2027. With that long-term goal in mind, the playing XI is expected to feature fresh faces and reshuffled roles.

## Kohli's Absence Opens the Door for Change

With Virat Kohli ruled out of this series, a rejig in the batting order looks all but certain. The most talked-about move concerns the No. 3 position, where KL Rahul could get a run. Rahul has spent a long stretch batting at No. 5, but the changed circumstances now make a promotion up the order a real possibility. At the same time, all eyes are on Ishan Kishan, who is returning to the ODI side after a lengthy gap.

## Training Session Hints at a Role Swap

The picture that emerged from the training session a day before the match only fuelled the speculation. KL Rahul, the experienced batter who has handled wicketkeeping duties in ODIs for quite some time, was seen putting in extra work on his fielding this time rather than behind the stumps. Ishan Kishan, meanwhile, not only batted at length but was also spotted practising his wicketkeeping. The clear implication is that Ishan Kishan may shoulder the gloves in the first ODI, freeing up Rahul to be deployed higher up the order as a pure batter.

## Three Contenders for No. 3, Coach Signals Experimentation

At the pre-match press conference, India's bowling coach Morne Morkel spoke openly when quizzed about the No. 3 slot. He explained that the team has three options for that spot — Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal — and any one of them could be handed the role. According to Morkel, keeping the future in mind, the more options the side has, the better its overall balance will be.

## Coach Eases Concerns Over Rohit's Fitness

Morkel also put to rest the questions swirling around the captain's fitness. He confirmed that Rohit has passed all his fitness tests and will be seen out on the field, stressing that there is no longer any concern whatsoever about his fitness.

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