India to Test Options at No. 3 in Kohli’s Absence, Morkel Says
Dharamshala — India will use the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan to test options for the No. 3 batting position in Virat Kohli’s absence, fast bowling coach Morne Morkel said Friday.
Kohli has been ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury sustained during his match-winning unbeaten 75 in the IPL 2026 final against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal are among the contenders to bat at No. 3.
“I think that’s something that in this series we’ll play around with, (whether) it’s Ishan (Kishan) or KL (Rahul) or Yashasvi (Jaiswal). We have got a couple of one-day games coming up, and we’ll give guys an opportunity in different slots to give ourselves a better idea of how we can structure teams and have different options,” Morkel said at the pre-match press conference.
The first ODI will be played Saturday at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala. The next two matches are scheduled for Lucknow on June 17 and Chennai on June 20.
Rahul has mostly played as a middle-order batter for India in recent years, but Friday’s training session suggested he could be considered for a higher role. Kishan was seen keeping wickets, while Rahul took outfield catches.
Morkel also praised new pacers Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar, who could make their international debuts during the series.
“First impressions, it is almost like they’ve been part of the squad for five years. I saw no nervousness on their face. The way they’ve gone about training, the energy they’ve trained with, was good to see,” he said.
Morkel also said captain Rohit Sharma is fit and ready after being seen training with a different thigh pad, which had prompted speculation that he was protecting a hamstring issue from the IPL.
“I didn’t even notice that. It just shows that I don’t think there’s any issue. He’s passed all his fitness tests. He’s cleared and ready to go. Obviously, the balls are coming at high speeds, and you want to protect yourself, even if there’s a slight niggle. But I can assure you there’s nothing wrong,” Morkel said.
“Rohit is moving well and training well. So excited to see him go. Always nice to have his experience back as well. Just the calmness that he brings to the dressing room is always a positive to have. He’s training well, he’s moving well. So I know that he’s also excited to go.” (Source: IANS)
