India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has hinted at multiple changes to the playing XI for the third ODI against Afghanistan, emphasising that the series was designed to test different combinations and provide opportunities to a wider group of players. With India already securing the three-match series through convincing victories in Dharamshala and Lucknow, the final ODI in Chennai offers the team management another chance to assess its bench strength.

Speaking ahead of the match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, ten Doeschate explained that experimentation was always part of India’s strategy for the series. As a result, several players who featured in the first two games could be rested, while others waiting on the sidelines are expected to get their opportunity. “We will be making a few changes from the first two games. Part of the brief coming into the series was that we wanted to try a few different combinations and give everyone a fair share of games.”

The former Netherlands international suggested that in-form pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has impressed throughout the series, could be rested for the dead rubber. His absence may open the door for Harshit Rana, who recently joined the squad after completing his rehabilitation.

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“So someone like Arshdeep Singh, who has bowled really well in the first two games, can probably take a rest tomorrow, and one of the batters will also miss out. We will go back to playing one of the new spinners,” Ryan ten Doeschate added.

The assistant coach also revealed that India is likely to continue with a balanced combination featuring two all-rounders in Nitish Kumar Reddy and Washington Sundar. Nitish missed the previous ODI but is expected to return as the team looks to evaluate his role ahead of future assignments.

Ten Doeschate further indicated that there will be no changes to the top-order combination that featured in Lucknow. This means Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to get another opportunity after a modest outing in the second ODI.

“The versatility of this batting lineup is fantastic, but I don’t think KL Rahul will bat at number three tomorrow. We want to have a good look at Yashasvi as well. He didn’t get runs in the last game, so he will probably get another opportunity,” he said.

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With the series already in the bag, India appears focused on long-term planning, using the final ODI as a platform to test fresh combinations and strengthen squad depth ahead of a busy international calendar.

India’s squad for 3rd ODI vs Afghanistan: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (C), Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Washington Sundar, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Prince Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, Prasidh Krishna, Harsh Dubey