Rohit Sharma eyes big hundreds as India-Afghanistan ODI series opens in Dharamshala
Synopsis
Piyush Chawla's pre-series verdict cuts to the chase: Rohit Sharma's value to India isn't in quick fifties — it's in match-defining 120-130-run knocks off 100 balls. With Kohli and Pandya absent, the Afghanistan series in Dharamshala is as much an audition ground as a contest, and Chawla has already named his debutant to watch: Prince Yadav.
Key Takeaways
Piyush Chawla says Rohit Sharma will be targeting innings of 120-130 runs off 100 deliveries , not just quick cameos.
The India vs Afghanistan three-match ODI series opens in Dharamshala on Saturday, 14 June .
Chawla rates Prince Yadav the strongest contender for a debut, citing his IPL yorker execution under pressure.
Ishan Kishan backed for the No.
3 slot, with Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav preferred as the spin pair.
Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi identified as Afghanistan's key threats in the middle overs.
Former India leg-spinner Piyush Chawla has said veteran opener Rohit Sharma will be hungry to convert starts into the commanding hundreds that fans and teammates have come to expect, as the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan gets under way in Dharamshala on Saturday, 14 June. Chawla made the remarks in an interview on JioHotstar, weighing in on India's batting depth, potential debutants, and the spin threat Afghanistan will pose.
Rohit's Hunger for Big Scores
Chawla underlined that playing a single format places a unique premium on every innings. 'When you are playing just one format for India, you want to spend as much time at the crease as possible because, no matter how much net practice or match simulation you do, an international match, regardless of the opposition, is a different challenge,' he said.
The former spinner added that quick cameos will not suffice for a batter of Rohit's calibre. 'As a batter, you want to score big runs and, if he is completely fit, he would want to score those big hundreds that everyone has come to expect from him. Because more than those quick 40s and 50s, the team would want those innings of 120-130 runs off 100 deliveries from Rohit,' Chawla said.
Prince Yadav the Frontrunner Among Potential Debutants
On the question of possible first caps during the series, Chawla identified Delhi-based pacer Prince Yadav as the strongest candidate. He noted that Gurnoor, Harsh Dubey, and Prince Yadav could all get an audition, particularly if India seal the first two matches.
'Not just in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, even in the IPL, under pressure, he executed his plans, bowled those yorkers consistently, and took wickets. So, my eyes will definitely be on him,' Chawla said of Prince Yadav.
Filling the Gaps Left by Kohli and Pandya
With Virat Kohli absent, Chawla backed Ishan Kishan to slot in at number three, citing current form and the added utility of a backup wicketkeeper ahead of a World Cup cycle. 'Yashasvi Jaiswal hasn't done anything wrong — in the last ODI he played, he scored a century against South Africa. But given the current form, I feel Ishan Kishan would get the nod,' he said.
In the spin department, Chawla advocated for Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav to share the workload. 'Washington helps extend the batting until No. 8, and Kuldeep will take care of the middle overs. If you look at his ODI numbers, not many bowlers are even close to him,' he said. With Hardik Pandya unavailable, he also called for Arshdeep Singh and Prasidh Krishna to get game time among the pacers.
Afghanistan's Spin Threat the Key Variable
Chawla reserved particular attention for Afghanistan's spin arsenal, warning that the middle-overs battle could be decisive. 'Whenever you talk about Afghanistan, the focus is on their spinners, especially in white-ball cricket. You will have Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi operating in the middle overs,' he said.
He added that India's middle-order batters tend to play aggressively against spin, setting up what he described as a 'fascinating battle' that could ultimately determine the series outcome. This comes amid growing recognition of Afghanistan's credentials in limited-overs cricket, where they have upset higher-ranked sides on multiple occasions in recent years.
The first ODI is scheduled for Dharamshala on Saturday, with the remaining two matches to follow in the coming days.
Point of View
But with the ODI World Cup cycle already in motion, every selection carries long-term weight. The real subplot here is not Rohit — it is whether the fringe players like Prince Yadav can seize the audition that the top-two-wins scenario would open up. Afghanistan's spin pair of Rashid and Nabi remains genuinely dangerous in white-ball cricket, and India's middle-order aggression against spin has historically been a double-edged sword. If that battle goes Afghanistan's way even once, the series narrative shifts sharply.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the India vs Afghanistan ODI series begin and where?
The three-match ODI series between India and Afghanistan begins on Saturday, 14 June, in Dharamshala. The remaining two matches are scheduled to follow over the subsequent days.
What did Piyush Chawla say about Rohit Sharma's batting goals for the series?
Chawla said Rohit Sharma, if fully fit, will be looking to score big hundreds of 120-130 runs off 100 deliveries rather than settling for quick fifties, as those match-defining innings are what the team truly needs from him when he is playing only one format.
Who does Piyush Chawla tip for an ODI debut in the Afghanistan series?
Chawla named Prince Yadav as the strongest contender for a debut, praising his ability to execute yorkers under pressure in both the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the IPL. He added that Gurnoor and Harsh Dubey could also get opportunities, especially if India win the first two games.
Who did Chawla suggest should fill Virat Kohli's vacancy at number three?
Chawla backed Ishan Kishan for the number three role, citing his current form and his value as a backup wicketkeeper heading into a World Cup cycle. He acknowledged that Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a century in his last ODI against South Africa but felt Kishan's dual utility gives him the edge.
Why does Chawla consider Afghanistan's spinners a serious threat?
Chawla highlighted that Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi are seasoned white-ball operators with extensive international experience, unlike some Afghanistan players who are newer to Test cricket. He warned that India's aggressive middle-order approach against spin could make that phase of the game the decisive battleground of the series.
