India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate confirms changes for final ODI against Afghanistan

Team India (Pic: BCCI)

India's assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate has confirmed that the team will make several changes for the upcoming final ODI against Afghanistan. The decision comes in line with team management's strategy to test alternative team combinations ahead of the ODI World Cup next year.

Ten Doeschate mentioned that left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh will likely be given a break following his involvement in the opening two encounters, giving way for a potential spin option.

Furthermore, the assistant coach indicated that KL Rahul is not expected to occupy the number three batting position. Instead, the team will give Yashasvi Jaiswal another opportunity at the top, despite his low score in the previous match.

He also hinted that all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy could return to action after missing the last game due to injury.

"We will be making a few changes from the first two games. I think part of the brief coming into the series was that we wanted to try a few different combinations and give everyone a fair share of games. Someone like Arshdeep has bowled very well in the first two games; he can probably take a rest tomorrow and save up one of the batters. One of the batters will miss out tomorrow, and we'll go back to playing one of the new spinners," Doeschate told reporters.

"But no, I don't think KL will bat three tomorrow. I think we want to have a good look at Yashasvi as well. Obviously, he didn't get runs in the last game, so he'll probably get another go, I would have thought. Maybe with the combination, we need to look at Nitish again. Unfortunately, he couldn't play in the last game, but he needs to start in as well," he added.

Team India has an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series

Team India is scheduled to play the final ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai on Saturday, holding an unassailable 2-0 lead.

The hosts secured the series by winning the first match in Dharamshala and following it up with a victory in Lucknow. Skipper Shubman Gill starred in both matches for the home team. In the second ODI, both Gill and wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan registered dominant centuries to help India seal the series ahead of the final match in Chennai.

(With ANI inputs)