With India poised to conclude a dominant 3‑0 sweep over Afghanistan at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the focus remains on the selected playing XI. Among the key points of interest is whether the captain and prolific run‑scorer Rohit Sharma will feature in the third ODI.

In line with the board’s recent strategy of rotating senior players to test fresh combinations ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, speculation has grown over a potential rest for the “Hitman.”


IND vs AFG 3rd ODI: Is Rohit Sharma Playing?

Yes—Rohit Sharma is expected to take the field for the decisive match in Chennai.

Prior to the series, preliminary discussions concerning his workload were held, but the BCCI medical staff approved him as fully fit. He demonstrated recent form with a brisk 48 off 39 balls in the second ODI at Lucknow, a knock that helped set the platform for captain Shubman Gill’s substantial 154‑run performance.

While resting senior players in a dead rubber is often considered, Rohit is slated to open alongside the young talent Yashasvi Jaiswal as India aims to conclude the series emphatically.

Under Shubman Gill’s leadership for this series, the board is actively evaluating new combinations, focusing on nurturing younger players and strengthening the squad’s depth, particularly at the top of the order and in the bowling lineup.

Occasional rest of Rohit forms part of a long‑term load‑management strategy designed to preserve his fitness and provide opportunities for players such as Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan. Nevertheless, his presence in Chennai delivers stability and on‑field mentorship for the relatively young side.

India Predicted Playing XI vs Afghanistan

Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (c), Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul (wk), Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Gurnoor Brar, Prince Yadav.

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