Team India is set to host Afghanistan in a three-ODI series in June, after the World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023, with an eye on the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. The series will also result in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) roping in an interim broadcaster, as this series is not included in Future Tour Programs (FTP).
While Rohit Sharma-led side will face Australia in the WTC Final on June 7, 2023, at the Oval.
BCCI secretary confirmed ODI series after WTC Final 2023 for Team India-
“The Media Rights tender will be released as per schedule this year (June-July) and will depend on the Afghanistan tour, but more likely the process will start from the Australia series (in September,” Jay Shah said.
India last played against Afghanistan in Asia Cup 2022, which was a 20-over format. It was the same match where Virat Kohli made a century after almost a gap of three years in International cricket. Moreover, the Men in Blue won that game by 101 runs, as the Mohammad Nabi-led side managed only 111/8 after 20 allotted overs.
After the culmination of the India-Afghanistan series, it will be followed by a 2-Test, 3 ODIs, and 5 T20Is series against the West Indies in July-August. At the end of August, India will play a 3-match T20I series against Ireland.
Given the 50-over format series, it would be crucial for India to consider the upcoming ODI WC 2023. The exercise will give more chances to head coach Rahul Dravid and the Indian skipper to try out more players after the end of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.
While the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 is expected to get underway on October 5, India is hosting this event solely for the first time after hosting it thrice in the past with neighbouring countries. Besides, the grand finale of the ODI WC 2023 is likely scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.