India’s performance in the ODI series vs Afghanistan was hugely impressive. What stood  out most was the hunger and ruthlessness with which they played. For me, this was a  reflection of a side that was determined to make the most of every opportunity. It showed a  different edge to the team—one that combined talent with a strong desire to prove a point. 

One of the most important aspects of the series was the selection strategy. I thought Ajit  Agarkar and his team were extremely smart in the way they put the squad together. The  selectors appeared to focus on picking players who all had something significant to play  for in their own individual ways. That can be a difficult balance to achieve, particularly in  modern cricket when players are involved in so much cricket throughout the year. 

There were young players looking to establish themselves and prove they belonged at the  international level. There were players returning to the side with a point to make. There  were established names who still had personal milestones and ambitions driving them.  When you looked across the squad, it felt as though almost every player had a reason to  perform. 

Rohit Sharma was always going to come back into the side. Shubman Gill had the added  responsibility of captaincy. Shreyas Iyer was back in the setup and eager to make a  statement. Yashasvi Jaiswal had an opportunity at the top of the order and clearly had  something to prove as well. India had assembled a squad full of hungry cricketers. 

That is not always easy to achieve. The team had just come through a demanding period of  cricket. They were on the back of the IPL and had also experienced the celebrations and  commitments that followed their T20 World Cup success. In those circumstances, it  would have been easy for the intensity levels to drop slightly. India were expected to win  the series, and there was always a possibility that it could become a routine assignment. 

Instead, what we saw across all three games was a team that maintained its focus and  standards from start to finish. India didn’t just win; they dominated. They effectively  dismantled what is still a pretty decent Afghanistan side. The consistency of their performances across the series was particularly impressive. 

The hunger was evident, but so too was the ruthlessness. Whenever they gained an  advantage, they pushed it further. They didn’t allow Afghanistan many opportunities to get  back into contests. That ability to remain relentless throughout a series is often a sign of a  strong side, and India demonstrated it repeatedly.

Among the younger players, Prince Yadav was someone who caught the eye. I’ve been a big  fan of his and was pleased to see him get an opportunity at this level. I still think he bowled  one of the standout deliveries of the IPL when he dismissed Virat Kohli. Seeing him receive  

a chance in international cricket felt deserved, and it was good to see him given an  opportunity to show what he can do on a bigger stage. 

It was also a smart series in which to introduce some younger players. Afghanistan are one  of the better sides in world cricket, but they also appear to be going through a period where  they are struggling slightly and rebuilding in certain areas. That made it a suitable  environment to give opportunities to some of India’s emerging talent. 

The blend of youth and experience in the squad was another major strength. Once again,  credit has to go to the selectors. They managed to create a group that contained a healthy  amount of international experience while also providing opportunities to players who are  still at the beginning of their journeys. 

That balance is incredibly important. When players are making their debut or taking their  first steps in international cricket, having experienced teammates around them can make  a huge difference. It gives them people to learn from, people to speak to and people to lean  on during difficult moments. 

Rohit Sharma naturally leads the way in that regard because of his vast experience. But  there were several other established players in the group as well. Shubman Gill and  Shreyas Iyer have already accumulated significant international experience. There were  experienced bowlers in the squad too. Young players coming into the side could look  around the dressing room and find plenty of people capable of offering guidance and  support. 

For someone like Gurnoon Brar, having senior players around would have been valuable  while trying to establish himself. The same applies to Harsh Dubey. There were  experienced figures available for younger cricketers to learn from and discuss their game  with. Kuldeep Yadav’s presence, for example, would have been particularly useful for  developing players trying to find their feet at this level. 

The only area where India may have been trying to work out the ideal balance was with their  spin options and how they wanted to structure that part of the attack. Apart from that,  however, there was very little to criticize.  

Shubman Gill once again led the way with the bat. These moments are important in the  development of his captaincy career. He has already done a brilliant job as a leader, but he 

remains relatively inexperienced as an international captain. Every successful series helps  build that experience and confidence. 

The runs scored by players such as Ishan Kishan and others almost feel expected now  because of the standard they have set. The rate at which they score and the consistency  they show have become familiar features of India’s cricket. Even so, those contributions  remain hugely impressive and continue to play a major role in the team’s success. 

From Afghanistan’s perspective, there were still positives to take away from the series.  Hashmatullah Shahidi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz both scored hundreds. Rahmat Shah also  made important contributions with the bat. There were individual performances that  players can be pleased with, even if the overall results did not go their way. 

I have always felt that Azmatullah Omarzai should play a more central role within the  Afghanistan setup. In particular, I think he has even more to offer with the bat. He is a  player capable of making a significant impact and should continue to be an important  figure for the team moving forward. 

AM Ghazanfar also looks like a very good addition to the side and had a reasonably good  tournament. He showed enough to suggest that he can become an important player for  Afghanistan in the future. 

At the same time, Afghanistan’s attack occasionally had an inexperienced feel about it,  and that lack of experience was exposed at times during the series. The team still has a  strong core of senior players, but they appear to be going through a phase where they are  rebuilding in certain departments and searching for the right combinations. 

Overall, though, the mood should remain positive. Looking back at the series, one of the  most pleasing developments was Yashasvi Jaiswal’s century in the final game. It was an  important innings and one that could prove valuable for his confidence. 

I find it difficult to believe that Jaiswal is not going to play a central role for India moving  forward. To me, he looks like a genuine three-format player. Sometimes a significant  innings can reinforce a player’s belief in their own abilities, and perhaps that century will  do exactly that for him. It may provide the confidence he needs to fully embrace that role  and continue developing as a key figure across all formats of the game.