Harsh Dubey eyes dream debut alongside Kohli, Rohit in Afghanistan ODIs
Synopsis
Vidarbha's title-winning all-rounder Harsh Dubey has been handed a maiden India call-up in both Test and ODI formats for the Afghanistan series — and admits playing even one match with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma before they retire would be a dream realised. The selection signals the start of India's 2027 World Cup build-up.
Key Takeaways
Harsh Dubey earned his maiden India call-up for the ODI series against Afghanistan .
He is one of three uncapped players in the squad, alongside Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar .
Dubey captained Vidarbha to the 2025 Vijay Hazare Trophy and was central to their 2024-25 Ranji Trophy win.
Rohit Sharma's participation is reportedly subject to fitness clearance after an IPL 2026 hamstring injury.
India face Afghanistan in a one-off Test in New Chandigarh , followed by ODIs in Dharamshala , Lucknow and Chennai .
Left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Harsh Dubey has said playing alongside Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma before they retire has been a lifelong dream, after earning his maiden India call-up for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan. The Vidarbha captain is one of three uncapped players in the squad, alongside pacers Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar.
A dream call-up across formats
Dubey, a standout of Vidarbha's title-winning 2024-25 Ranji Trophy campaign and the captain who led the side to its maiden Vijay Hazare Trophy crown in 2025, has also been picked in India's Test squad for the one-off match in New Chandigarh. He admitted the dual selection caught him completely off guard.
“If you ask any young cricketer who they want to play with right now, the first two names will be Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I have grown up watching them,” Dubey told JioStar. “I always wanted to play alongside at least one legend before they retire... Even if I get to play one match with them, it will be a dream-come-true moment for me.”
The moment he found out
Dubey recalled learning of the news at an airport with a delayed flight, initially assuming a caller was referring to the Sri Lanka A ODI tri-series he had already been picked for.
“As soon as I hung up, I started getting messages saying I had received both the Test and ODI call-ups. I was confused because the squad had just been announced, so I quickly checked online and saw the news,” he said. “It genuinely felt like I was dreaming.”
Kohli in, Rohit subject to fitness
India's ODI squad features both Kohli and Rohit, though Rohit's participation reportedly remains subject to fitness clearance after a hamstring injury sustained during IPL 2026. Dubey's elevation is part of the selectors' wider build-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the youngster rewarded for a sustained run of domestic returns.
Staying grounded, eyeing Gill's leadership
Despite being viewed as a long-term spin option, Dubey said he is focused only on the immediate task. “I don't want to think too far ahead about playing the 2027 World Cup or winning the WTC for India. I just want to stay in the present,” he said.
He added that he is keen to observe captain Shubman Gill at close quarters. “I enjoy playing under captains who are aggressive and competitive on the field... I enjoy playing with people who bring that intensity,” Dubey said.
What's next
India will play Afghanistan in a one-off four-day Test in New Chandigarh, followed by a three-match ODI series across Dharamshala, Lucknow and Chennai — the most significant assignment yet of Dubey's young career.
Point of View
The selectors appear willing to test depth beyond Jadeja and Axar, and a left-arm spinner who bats with intent fits that template. The real question is whether he gets meaningful overs against Afghanistan's strong spin-playing batters or is held in reserve. Bilateral debuts often define careers more than World Cup squads do.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Harsh Dubey and why is his India call-up significant?
Harsh Dubey is a left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder who captained Vidarbha to the 2025 Vijay Hazare Trophy title and was a key figure in their 2024-25 Ranji Trophy triumph. His maiden India call-up — in both Test and ODI squads for the Afghanistan series — marks the selectors' clearest endorsement yet of his domestic form ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Will Rohit Sharma play in the Afghanistan ODI series?
Rohit Sharma has been named in the ODI squad, but his participation reportedly remains subject to fitness clearance following a hamstring injury sustained during IPL 2026. Virat Kohli is also part of the squad.
Who are the other uncapped players in India's ODI squad?
Pacers Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar are the other two uncapped players alongside Harsh Dubey in India's ODI squad for the Afghanistan series.
Where will the India vs Afghanistan series be played?
India will host Afghanistan in a one-off four-day Test in New Chandigarh, followed by a three-match ODI series in Dharamshala, Lucknow and Chennai.
How did Harsh Dubey react to his maiden India call-up?
Dubey said he learned of the dual call-up at an airport during a flight delay and initially thought the caller was referring to the Sri Lanka A ODI tri-series. He described the moment as surreal, saying it 'genuinely felt like I was dreaming'.
