India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI: Jaiswal Faces Crucial Test as India Eye Sweep

By Aditya Nagar | June 20, 2026

India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI: India has already won the ODI series against Afghanistan, but fans are still excited to see how Yashasvi Jaiswal does in the third and final match.

After scoring only four runs in the second ODI in Lucknow, the left-handed opener will want to make the most of his chance to impress in Chennai.

India has already secured the ODI series against Afghanistan, winning in Dharamsala and Lucknow.

The last match will be played on Saturday, June 20, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

While the result won't affect the series, it is still drawing significant interest. Many fans are watching Yashasvi Jaiswal as he tries to earn a regular spot in the Indian team.

India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI: Jaiswal's ODI Return Ends in Disappointment, Falls Cheaply for 4 in Lucknow

Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal Opening Pair: After being out for about six months, Jaiswal made his return to the 50-over format in Lucknow. With Rohit Sharma taking a break, Jaiswal got the chance to open the batting.

Shubman Gill shifted to number three, and Ishan Kishan moved to number four to make room for Jaiswal at the top.

Jaiswal did not have much impact, scoring just four runs before Mohammad Saleem dismissed him.

It was a disappointing result for the 24-year-old, who is working to prove himself in different formats and earn a place in India's ODI squad.

NOTE: Follow cricket news, football updates, live scores, match analysis, and other latest news.

Yashasvi Jaiswal ODI Comeback: Why Chennai ODI is Crucial for Jaiswal Before Kohli's Return

India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI: With just one match left in the series, Jaiswal does not have many chances to impress. A good performance in Chennai could keep him in the selectors' minds and boost his chances for future games.

If he struggles again, though, it will be harder for him to return to the ODI team, especially with so much competition for top-order spots.

If Virat Kohli had been in the squad, Jaiswal might have had to wait even longer for his ODI chance.

Afghanistan tour of India 2026: Since Kohli is expected to return soon and Shubman Gill will likely open with Rohit Sharma again, the third ODI against Afghanistan is an important opportunity for Jaiswal.

Jaiswal Must Make His Chances Count Amid Fierce Competition: Ten Doeschate

Yashasvi Jaiswal Latest News: Jaiswal's main challenge is not his talent, but the strength of India's batting lineup.

Since he has had few chances so far, every match matters as he tries to earn a spot in the established top order.

India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI: India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate agreed before the match, saying Jaiswal has had to be patient because of strong competition in the squad.

He also said that while the team's success is the top priority, players who are close to selection need to make the most of their chances.

"He is someone who is waiting in the wings because of the quality and the depth we have in that position.

But I certainly get the feeling that the first priority is always to win the series and to put your best team out," Ten Doeschate said in the pre-match press conference.

He added that Jaiswal does get a few chances, which is incredibly tough given the high level of competition.

However, he noted that Jaiswal is one of those players who, when given the right opportunities, has to make them count by scoring runs, calling it simply the nature of Indian cricket.

Yashasvi Jaiswal ICC Ranking

Player	Test Rank	Test Rating	ODI Rank	ODI Rating	T20I Rank	Career-Best T20I Rank
Yashashwi Jaiswal	#8	750	#154	291	Not in Top 10	#4

Jaiswal Under Pressure as India Eye Changes for Chennai ODI; Nitish Set to Return

India vs Afghanistan 3rd ODI: These comments show how difficult things are for Jaiswal.

With competition for places at its peak and top players returning, the Chennai ODI is an important chance for him to impress the selectors and push for a regular spot in India's 50-over team ODI approaching and the series already decided, many are curious about India's team selection.

Nitish Reddy Return: Assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed there will be changes to the playing XI, and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy is set to return after missing the Lucknow match because of a sore thigh.

The main question now is who will be left out. Ten Doeschate said left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will likely be rested to manage his workload, and the team might also give one of the batters a break.

Ten Doeschate also gave an update on Nitish, saying the all-rounder has recovered well and is ready to play.

He said Nitish could probably have played the last game too, but he will be good to go for tomorrow's game.

Nitish's return could help balance the team, and the planned rotation gives players who are close to selection another chance to impress as India looks to complete a series sweep.

India vs Afghanistan Match Preview: Afghanistan's Batting Collapses Remain Their Biggest Worry

Afghanistan's biggest concern has been their batting, which has led to several collapses.

After a poor performance in Dharamsala, captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said the batters need to take more responsibility and put pressure on the Indian bowlers.

However, Afghanistan could not recover and were bowled out for 232 while chasing a big target of 403.

With the series already lost, their batters can now play with less pressure. Afghanistan's fielding coach John Mooney also talked about the issue, saying the team needs to bat with more discipline.

He said the batters cannot afford to lose wickets in groups and will try to reset and focus better in the next game.

"I believe we've shown at times enough to compete with this Indian team. We just need to put together a full 50-over effort with the bat.

"The players need to figure that out, while they sit back for a little bit longer, how they structure their innings as batsmen," said Mooney in the pre-match press conference here.

He added that they had given away soft wickets and lost wickets in pairs, noting it was an area they had discussed to ensure they reset and rebuild.

Winless Against India, Afghanistan Eye Historic Breakthrough with Nothing to Lose

Afghanistan has never beaten India in any form of international cricket. They have shown promise on this tour, but inconsistency has stopped them from making a real breakthrough.

With nothing left to lose, Afghanistan might see this as their chance to finally challenge India's dominance.

Chennai Pitch Favours Batting First, But Spin and Rain Threat Loom Large

Chennai is usually a good batting ground, with an average first-innings score of about 260 in 28 matches. Teams batting first have won 15 times here, so the pitch often favours setting a target.

However, the pitch can slow down and help the spinners, so teams that win the toss might choose to field first.

Rain could also affect the match. The forecast predicts cloudy weather and possible thunderstorms, so there might be some interruptions.

Temperatures are expected to be around 32°C, with humidity in the 7 per cent range.

Read More: