India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI: Prasidh, Harsh, Nitish return at Chepauk
Synopsis
India go for a 3-0 sweep at Chepauk with three returning players — Prasidh Krishna, Harsh Dubey, and Nitish Kumar Reddy — replacing Arshdeep, Kuldeep, and KL Rahul. Afghanistan, already 2-0 down and staring at a series whitewash, have made four changes and opted to bat first, hoping to finally find the partnerships that eluded them across the first two games.
Key Takeaways
Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first in the 3rd ODI at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on 20 June .
India have recalled Prasidh Krishna , Harsh Dubey , and Nitish Kumar Reddy , with Arshdeep Singh , Kuldeep Yadav , and KL Rahul sitting out.
Nitish Kumar Reddy missed the Lucknow ODI due to soreness in his left thigh and returns to the XI.
Afghanistan have made four changes , bringing in Mohammad Nabi , Azmatullah Omarzai , Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi , and Fareed Ahmad Malik .
India lead the three-match series 2-0 and can complete a 3-0 sweep with a win in Chennai.
The Chepauk red-soil pitch is expected to offer good bounce for both pacers and spinners, with change of pace likely to be decisive.
India have named Prasidh Krishna, Harsh Dubey, and Nitish Kumar Reddy in their playing XI for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday, 20 June, after Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi won the toss and elected to bat first. India enter the decider already holding a commanding 2-0 series lead, having crushed Afghanistan by 170 runs in the second ODI in Lucknow.
India's Changes for Chennai
The three returning players replace Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, and KL Rahul, who all sit out. Nitish Kumar Reddy had been sidelined for the Lucknow fixture with soreness in his left thigh and now earns his recall. With Rahul absent, Ishan Kishan is set to take up wicketkeeping duties behind the stumps.
India skipper Shubman Gill acknowledged the pitch looked bat-friendly but flagged a specific tactical target for the day: 'Looks like a very good wicket. Would've batted first as well. Was pretty hot in the last match and it's going to be no different here. It's about being consistent in the areas we're looking at. Chasing is one thing we haven't ticked. That's what we'll be looking at today.'
Afghanistan's Four Changes
Afghanistan have made four changes to the side that lost in Lucknow, bringing in Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, and Fareed Ahmad Malik. Captain Shahidi was candid about his side's shortcomings in the series so far: 'In last two games we missed some areas and didn't play the way we have played in the past. Hopefully we recover today and have good partnerships and bowl in the right areas.'
Shahidi also cited conditions as a factor in the toss decision, noting the dry, hard surface and the intense June heat in India. 'Wicket also looks good. It's dry and hard. Hopefully we have a good start in the batting,' he said.
Pitch and Conditions
Commentators Michael Clarke and Deep Dasgupta noted that a red-soil pitch is on offer at Chepauk, which should provide good bounce for both pacers and spinners. They added that balls with a change of pace are likely to be particularly effective, suggesting a surface that rewards skill over raw pace.
The conditions mirror what India have already navigated across the first two games — sapping heat and surfaces that dry out as the match progresses. Notably, this is the first time in the series that India will be chasing, making Gill's stated focus on that aspect of the game all the more pointed.
Playing XIs
India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav.
Afghanistan: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Darwish Rasooli, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Zia Ur Rahman Sharifi, Fareed Ahmad Malik.
A win for India today at Chepauk would seal a 3-0 series sweep — and hand Gill's side a clean sheet against Afghanistan in what has been a dominant home campaign.
Point of View
While giving fringe players meaningful game time. The recall of Nitish Kumar Reddy, barely recovered from a thigh injury, signals that the team management wants him match-ready ahead of a busier international calendar. Afghanistan's four changes, meanwhile, look reactive rather than strategic — a side searching for answers rather than executing a plan. The real subplot is Gill's stated focus on chasing: India have won both games batting first or in contexts where pressure was minimal; a successful chase today would add a dimension to this squad's credentials that the series scoreline alone cannot capture.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the three players India have recalled for the 3rd ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai?
India have recalled Prasidh Krishna , Harsh Dubey , and Nitish Kumar Reddy for the third ODI in Chennai on 20 June. They replace Arshdeep Singh , Kuldeep Yadav , and KL Rahul , who sit out the match.
Why did Nitish Kumar Reddy miss the 2nd ODI in Lucknow?
Nitish Kumar Reddy was ruled out of the second ODI in Lucknow due to soreness in his left thigh. He has recovered and returns to India's playing XI for the Chennai fixture.
What is the current series score between India and Afghanistan?
India lead the three-match ODI series 2-0. A win in the third and final ODI at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium would give India a 3-0 series sweep.
Why did Afghanistan choose to bat first after winning the toss?
Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi cited the hot conditions and a dry, hard pitch as reasons for electing to bat first. He also expressed the need for his side to build partnerships after underperforming in the first two games.
What do the pitch conditions at MA Chidambaram Stadium suggest for this match?
According to the pitch assessment, the red-soil surface at Chepauk should offer good bounce for both pacers and spinners. Balls delivered with a change of pace are expected to be particularly effective, making it a pitch that rewards skill over raw speed.
