India enter their series preparations against Afghanistan with a changed selection picture after injuries ruled out or sidelined key players Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya. According to reports, the absence of Kohli and Pandya pushes India into a broader “transition mode” as they look ahead to the 2027 ODI World Cup. Ishan Kishan is viewed as the likely option to bat at No. 3, with his role expected to expand in the absence of Kohli. Hardik’s potential replacement is reported to be Nitish Kumar Reddy, who could fill the all-rounder slot and contribute with both bat and ball, depending on team requirements. The injuries also open chances for India’s younger fast-bowling group, with Prince and Gurnoor identified as players waiting for opportunities to break into the XI. Both outlets describe the upcoming phase as a chance for India to test combinations and give exposure to emerging players while planning for future limited-overs tournaments.