Shubman Gill has finally won an ODI series. India’s 3-0 win over Afghanistan will not shock anyone. The gap between the two sides was evident, and India bullied Afghanistan. Yet the most interesting part of the sweep wasn’t the result. With the 2027 ODI World Cup coming in the next 15 months, India wanted to gain multiple things out of the bilateral series. And the Men in Blue did gain a few positives! A young fast bowler announcing himself, a forgotten contender forcing his way back and several players strengthening their case for a place in India’s long-term ODI plans.
India will play three ODIs against England in England in July as well, and before that, the team has more confidence. This series win was needed, especially after bilateral losses to Australia (away) and New Zealand (home). Now, with the series done and dusted, let us look at the major takeaways for India.
Exciting times for Indian fast bowling ft. Gurnoor
This is an interesting time if you are a fan of India’s pace bowling. With Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah rested from the series, perhaps the biggest positive from the series was the emergence of Gurnoor Brar.
When Ajit Agarkar’s selection committee picked the 6ft 5in Punjab pacer despite his limited List A experience, there was plenty of scepticism. Three matches later, the gamble looks justified.
Brar finished as the leading wicket-taker of the series with seven wickets in three games. What was heartening to see was him consistently troubling batters with steep bounce, high pace and awkward angles. More importantly, he extracted help off decks at all three venues. Just imagine how lethal he could be in South African conditions, where the next ODI World Cup will be played.
Prasidh Krishna also reminded everyone why India continues to back him. His stunning 5/58 in Chennai showed the value of a genuine hit-the-deck fast bowler when conditions offer assistance. Prasidh was literally unplayable when he started bowling a tad fuller, and Afghani batters edged him thrice inside the powerplay. Add Arshdeep Singh’s left-arm variety and Prince Yadav’s promising debut and India suddenly have multiple pace options beyond Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj.
Shubman Gill is in peak of his powers
There are good ODI batters and then there are players who are made for this format. Shubman Gill belongs firmly in the second category right now. Ever since he has become India’s Test and ODI captain, there has been no stopping him. Only Harry Brook (1814) has scored more international runs than Gill (1783) in last one year. Note that Brook has played nine more innings than Gill.
The India captain finished the series with 238 runs from just two innings at an absurd average of 238. His unbeaten 84 in Dharamsala and heroic 154 in Lucknow were two imposing knocks by the Indian skipper. He paced innings beautifully, attacked when required and looked several steps ahead of the bowlers. The scary part for opponents? Gill still appears to be getting better.
With Virat Kohli approaching the final phase of his career and Rohit Sharma nearing 40, Gill is easily the batter around whom India’s ODI future will revolve. When Kohli hangs up his boots, Gill could easily take the number three role, allowing India to slot in someone like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi or Abhishek Sharma alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener post-2027 World Cup.
Ishan Kishan has forced his way back into the conversation
Nobody has improved their stock more during this series than Ishan Kishan. Prior to this series, his last ODI appearance came back at the 2023 ODI World Cup. The left-hander was initially viewed as someone fighting for a backup role. He now looks like a genuine contender for a World Cup squad spot. Due to Virat Kohli’s absence, Kishan got a chance in all three games. In the last game, he played as a specialist keeper too, with KL Rahul getting a rest.
After a fiery cameo in Dharamsala, his 125 off 79 balls in Lucknow proved to be a reminder of how unique his skillset is. He offers left-hand variety and wicketkeeping cover and has the ability to bat anywhere in the top six. India already have a crowded batting order, but Kishan has an X-factor in him. He’s already a starter in T20s, and now he has made a spot in India’s ODI squad a certainty.
Rohit and Jaiswal – good headache to have
Rohit Sharma’s numbers were solid across the series, but they don’t quite capture how he looked in the middle. There was a freedom to his batting that had been missing at times over the past year. After getting dismissed by a beauty in Lucknow, he took on Rashid Khan in Chennai. Rohit’s class hasn’t gone anywhere. He was so close to hitting a century in the third ODI.
Jaiswal, meanwhile, pinpointed exactly why India rate him so highly. After a quiet start to the series, he bounced back with an unbeaten hundred with his typical attacking shots. His hundred has really put pressure on Rohit for an opening spot.
Gill is undroppable; Rohit, for now, is still the number one, while Jaiswal keeps pushing his case, and Kishan offers something different altogether. It’s the kind of selection dilemma most teams would love to have.
