The HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala has often rewarded teams that make the most of the new ball. The highest international cricket stadium on the planet is known for offering assistance to seamers, the venue could provide the ideal stage for India’s revamped ODI attack to make an early statement against Afghanistan.
With Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Hardik Pandya unavailable for the opening ODI, India’s bowling blueprint will be tested from the very first over.
While much of the spotlight will naturally fall on captain Shubman Gill and the batting unit, CricViz data suggests the outcome of the contest could be shaped by a less glamorous but equally important factor – India’s ability to maximise the powerplay and middle overs through Nitish Kumar Reddy, Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav.
Nitish Reddy’s Biggest ODI Opportunity Yet
Few players in the current Indian setup have as much to gain from this series as Nitish Kumar Reddy.
With Hardik Pandya sidelined, the Andhra all-rounder finds himself occupying one of the most valuable roles in modern ODI cricket – a seam-bowling all-rounder capable of contributing in both departments.
CricViz data highlights a significant evolution in Reddy’s bowling during IPL 2026. Prior to the tournament, he had bowled only three overs inside the powerplay throughout his T20 career. However, he was entrusted with 11 overs with the new ball during the season, consistently operating in the 130 kmph range and picking up three wickets inside the first six overs.
His overall IPL returns of 302 runs and eight wickets further reinforced his credentials as a genuine all-round option rather than a part-time bowler.
While Reddy is still searching for his maiden international wicket after four ODIs, his domestic List-A record suggests there is substance behind the hype. The youngster has scored 679 runs at an average of 35.73 and claimed 21 wickets in 33 List-A appearances, highlighting the dual-threat potential that made him one of India’s most exciting prospects.
Dharamshala presents him with an opportunity to show he can be more than just Hardik Pandya’s understudy.
Arshdeep Singh Leads the Pace Attack
If Reddy is the X-factor, Arshdeep Singh is India’s most important powerplay weapon.
The left-arm seamer enters the series as the leader of the pace attack in the absence of Bumrah and Siraj, and recent numbers suggest he is well equipped for the responsibility.
According to CricViz, Arshdeep has taken 13 wickets in just seven ODI appearances since the start of 2025. More significantly, eight of those wickets have come inside the first 10 overs of an innings.
His average of 17.5 during that phase, combined with an economy rate of 4.82, underlines his ability to strike early while maintaining control.
Against an Afghanistan batting lineup featuring aggressive top-order players, Arshdeep’s ability to swing the new ball and create breakthroughs could dictate the direction of the match.
The conditions in Dharamshala should further enhance his effectiveness, making him India’s primary wicket-taking threat with the new ball.
Kuldeep Yadav Remains India’s Middle-Overs Trump Card
Once the field restrictions ease, the focus will shift towards Kuldeep Yadav. For several years, India’s ODI success has been built around taking wickets in the middle overs rather than merely containing opposition batters. Kuldeep remains the key to that strategy.
Since the start of 2025, only Harshit Rana has taken more ODI wickets for India than Kuldeep. Rana leads the charts with 26 wickets, while Kuldeep has claimed 22.
Those numbers reinforce his status as India’s premier wicket-taking spinner and one of the most dangerous middle-over bowlers in world cricket.
The left-arm wrist-spinner also enters the series on the verge of a significant milestone. Currently sitting on 194 ODI wickets, Kuldeep needs just six more scalps to become only the fourth Indian spinner to reach the 200-wicket mark.
Remarkably, he is on course to become the second-fastest Indian spinner to the landmark, underlining the impact he has had since establishing himself in the format.
Against Afghanistan, a side known for its proficiency against spin, Kuldeep’s battle could become one of the defining contests of the series.
India’s Bowling Blueprint
India’s tactical blueprint for the first ODI appears straightforward. Arshdeep Singh must exploit the new-ball conditions and strike early. Nitish Kumar Reddy needs to provide balance while contributing crucial overs that reduce the burden on the frontline bowlers. Kuldeep Yadav then becomes the enforcer through the middle overs, looking to break partnerships and prevent Afghanistan from building momentum.
With the batting unit still adjusting to a new era under Shubman Gill’s leadership, India’s bowling attack could well determine the outcome in Dharamshala.
And if the Men in Blue are to begin their 2027 World Cup preparations with a statement victory, Nitish Reddy’s all-round impact and the bowlers’ ability to execute their roles may prove just as important as the runs scored at the top of the order.