India have already secured the ODI series against Afghanistan with convincing victories in Dharamsala and Lucknow, but there is still plenty at stake heading into the third and final ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday. With a 2-0 lead in the bag, Shubman Gill's side will be aiming to complete a clean sweep while also continuing to evaluate their squad depth ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Team India Focused on Experimentation
India entered the series with a clear objective of assessing their bench strength, and that process is expected to continue in Chennai. Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that changes will be made to the playing XI for the dead rubber. The series has already thrown up several positives. Ishan Kishan has seized his opportunity, culminating in a blistering century in Lucknow while batting at No. 4. Captain Shubman Gill has continued his rich vein of form, smashing a majestic 154 in the second ODI and proving equally effective at No. 3 in Virat Kohli's absence. Young pacer Gurnoor Brar has also impressed with his pace, bounce and ability to hit awkward lengths, attributes that could prove valuable in South African conditions during the 2027 World Cup.
India are expected to hand further opportunities to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is being assessed as a left-handed opening option and potential backup to Rohit Sharma. Nitish Kumar Reddy, now fully fit after recovering from a sore thigh, remains under the spotlight as India search for an all-round solution in Hardik Pandya's absence. Prince Yadav and Harsh Dubey are also likely to remain in contention as the team continues to evaluate its next generation of talent. KL Rahul could be rested after the series win, opening the door for Kishan to continue behind the stumps. Fast bowler Harshit Rana has also returned to the squad after recovering from knee surgery.
Afghanistan Eye Consolation Win
For Afghanistan, the final ODI represents an opportunity to avoid a series whitewash and end the tour on a positive note. The visitors were thoroughly outplayed in Lucknow, where India posted a mammoth 402 after Afghanistan opted to bowl first. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted after the defeat that his side was simply "not good enough" on the day. Afghanistan's struggles have largely stemmed from an inconsistent batting lineup and the absence of key players. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi missed the second ODI due to a viral infection, while Azmatullah Omarzai was sidelined through injury. If both clear their fitness tests, they are expected to return for the series finale. The visitors will once again rely heavily on opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz and star spinner Rashid Khan, their two biggest match-winners, to challenge an Indian side brimming with confidence.
Pitch and Weather Report
The match will be played on Pitch No. 4 at Chepauk, a red-soil surface that traditionally offers good bounce and carry. While Chennai has long been known for spin-friendly conditions, recent matches have produced more batting-friendly tracks. However, as the game progresses, quality spinners such as Rashid Khan could still extract grip and variable bounce. The weather is expected to be hot and humid, with temperatures hovering around 35°C. Although there is a slight chance of afternoon showers, conditions are expected to remain largely suitable for a full match. With the series already decided, India will look to continue building towards the future, while Afghanistan search for pride and a much-improved performance in the final ODI.
