Why is KL Rahul not playing IND vs AFG 3rd ODI in Chennai?
(Courtesy : BCCI)
KL Rahul featured in the first two ODIs against Afghanistan.
India are playing the third and final ODI of the series against Afghanistan in Chennai today. They have already sealed the series by winning the first two matches, and will aim for a clean sweep.
Shubman Gill and Co. were put to field first by Afghanistan as the latter chose to bat first in the Chennai heat. Throughout the series, India have experimented with their combinations, employing different batting and bowling line-ups. This has continued in the third ODI as well.
They have made three changes to their side for this game. Harsh Dubey, Nitish Reddy and Prasidh Krishna have replaced Kuldeep Yadav, KL Rahul and Arshdeep Singh, respectively.
Why is KL Rahul absent from 3rd ODI vs Afghanistan?
Now that the series is sealed, India have rested their primary wicketkeeper batsman KL Rahul, who batted brilliantly in the first ODI.
Rahul batted at No. 5 in the first clash, scoring 39* off 19. His power-hitting and range of shots have only improved with time. He hit 4 boundaries and 3 sixes in that innings, and helped India finish the chase with ease.
However, in the second match, Rahul’s batting position was shifted to No. 6. He came in to bat in the 43rd over when India were 360/4. He could not contribute to the innings, and got out for 0(1). He has been rested for the third ODI.
In the pre-match presser ahead of the match, Ryan ten Doeschate had said, “Someone like Arshdeep has bowled very well in the first two games; he can probably take a rest tomorrow, and the same goes for one of the batters.”
This statement confirmed that one of the batsmen will be rested. Rahul was in good touch, but India have looked to try different combinations best suited for their line-up.
KL Rahul participated in IPL 2026, where he scored approximately 600 runs in 14 matches; he maintained a strike rate of 174 and an average of 46. Rahul had a tremendous IPL season with his bat, including a phenomenal 152 off 67 balls against Punjab Kings.
Shortly after the IPL, Rahul also played the one-off Test against Afghanistan, where he scored a century alongside the skipper Shubman Gill.
India are experimenting with the inclusion of Ishan Kishan and Yashasvi Jaiswal in the ODI setup, and for the same reason they have rested Rahul for this fixture. Having a left-handed batsman in the right-handed heavy line-up will bring more intensity and dynamism.
The Men in Blue are set to play an ODI series against England, West Indies, New Zealand and Sri Lanka later this year, and they would aim to field their best XIs against these teams.
Why is KL Rahul not playing IND vs AFG 3rd ODI?
KL Rahul is not playing the IND vs AFG 3rd ODI as he has been rested.
For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
Cricket runs in the blood of Indians — and that’s something she truly believes in. A law student with a lifelong connection to the game, she has followed cricket passionately since his school days. Like countless young fans, she first experienced the sport on the field before deepening his understanding through constant watching, reading, and conversations around the game. Writing became a natural extension of that passion, bringing a “Pavilion Perspective” to his work — capturing how fans experience matches through their own lens.