With a 2-0 lead in the bag, Shubman Gill’s side will be looking to complete the clean sweep and continue to assess the depth of their squad in the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Team India Focused on Testing
India entered this series with the aim of testing their bench strength, and that is expected to continue in Chennai. Assistant manager Ryan ten Doeschate confirmed that changes will be made to the playing XI for the dead rubber.
The series has already lost several good ones. Ishan Kishan made the most of his chances, coming to the end of a blistering century in Lucknow while batting at No. 4. Captain Shubman Gill continued his prolific streak, smashing a superb 154 in the second ODI and a similar performance at No. 3 without Virat Kohli.
Young pacer Gurnoor Brar has also impressed with his pace, bounce and ability to hit hard, which could prove vital in South Africa’s conditions at the 2027 World Cup.
India are expected to give another chance to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who is being tested as a left-arm opener and a backup to Rohit Sharma. Nitish Kumar Reddy, who is now fully fit after recovering from a sore thigh, remained in focus as India looked for a spin solution in Hardik Pandya’s absence. Prince Yadav and Harsh Dubey are also likely to remain in contention as the team continues to assess their future talent.
KL Rahul can rest after the win, opening the door for Kishan to continue behind the stumps. Fast bowler Harshit Rana is back in the team after recovering from knee surgery.
Afghanistan Eye Consolation Win
For Afghanistan, the final ODI represents an opportunity to avoid a clean sheet and end the tour on a positive note. The visitors were well played in Lucknow, where India posted a mammoth 402 after Afghanistan opted to bat first. Captain Hashmatullah Shahidi admitted after the defeat that his side was “not good” on the day.
Afghanistan’s struggle started due to inconsistent performances and lack of key players. Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi missed the second ODI due to a viral infection, while Azmatullah Omarzai missed out due to injury. If they all pass their fitness test, they are expected to return to the bottom of the list.
The visitors will also rely heavily on opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz and star batsman Rashid Khan, winners of their two matches, to challenge the Indian team with confidence.
Pitch and Weather Report
The match will be played on Pitch No. 4 in Chepauk, a red soil that often gives bursting and carrying. While Chennai have long been known to be friendly, recent matches have produced a more straight-laced track. However, as the game progresses, top spinners like Rashid Khan can still produce power and versatility.
The weather is expected to be hot and humid, with temperatures hovering around 35°C. Although there is a slight chance of rain in the afternoon, conditions are expected to be suitable for all matches.
With the list already decided, India will look to continue to build on the future, while Afghanistan will look for pride and do well in the final ODI.
