Will Kuldeep and Jaiswal Get a Chance in the Second ODI?
Lucknow: India will look to seal the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan when the two sides meet in the second One-Day International in Lucknow on Wednesday. Having registered a comfortable victory in the rain-affected opening match, the hosts hold a 1-0 lead and another win would give them an unassailable advantage in the series. While the result remains important, India’s larger objective is to fine-tune its squad combinations ahead of next year’s ICC ODI World Cup.
The team management is expected to use the series as an opportunity to assess bench strength and provide game time to players who could play key roles in the global tournament. The spotlight is likely to be on whether wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav and young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal are drafted into the playing XI.
Both players are regarded as strong contenders for World Cup selection, and their inclusion would allow the team management to evaluate different tactical options in match situations. India were dominant in the first ODI, with both bat and ball contributing to a comprehensive win. However, with the series offering a valuable testing ground, changes to the lineup cannot be ruled out as the hosts seek to balance immediate success with long-term preparation.
