India will keep Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top for the third ODI against Afghanistan on Saturday in Chennai, with KL Rahul remaining in the middle order as the side looks to extend its 2-0 lead in the three-match series. Ryan ten Doeschate said there was no consideration of pushing Rahul higher up and that the top three would stay unchanged from the last game.
That decision matters now because India have already sealed the series and can use the dead rubber to keep testing roles without the pressure of a decider. Ten Doeschate said the team wanted a close look at Jaiswal after he failed to score in the last game, but still backed the opener to get another chance alongside Shubman Gill.
The move also keeps faith with the balance India have been building around a flexible batting order. Ten Doeschate said Rahul will continue to bat down the order and that India do not see him as an option for the top, even as they explore combinations further down the line. He also said the plan was to give players a fair share of games across the first two matches and the third ODI, which is why a few changes remain possible.
That is where the selection picture gets less tidy. Arshdeep Singh could be rested if his work in the first two games has been strong enough, and Nitish Reddy is the likeliest replacement if that happens. Harshit Rana, though, may not be sent straight into the side after joining the squad, leaving India with one obvious opening for change but no final answer on who fills it.
There is at least more clarity on the fitness front. Ten Doeschate said Shubman Gill was fine after calf cramping in Lucknow, while Ishan Kishan had recovered from a shoulder issue. He also said Kishan has shown he can move beyond the label of a T20 specialist, bat as a 50-odd player in ODIs and still offer value with the gloves, which keeps him in the mix as India manage this series on their own terms.
For now, the message is straightforward: India are not altering the top three, Rahul stays where he is most comfortable, and Jaiswal gets another run. The remaining question is how far India go with the rest of their XI when they walk out in Chennai, and whether Arshdeep is the next name to sit out.
