India’s KL Rahul bats during a training session in Lucknow. (AP Photo)

LUCKNOW: For Shubman Gill led Team India, who play Afghanistan in the second ODI at the Ekana Stadium here on Wednesday, this series is also an early marker on the road to the 2027 ODI World Cup. The immediate target is a series win but the larger canvas is already clear. In that context, every role and every combination will be examined closely. Beyond Gill and a few established names — fitness and form permitting — not many can take their World Cup places for granted.While the focus will remain on Rohit Sharma, who continues to make his case against age and scrutiny, one player who appears to be strengthening his World Cup credentials is KL Rahul. For a large part of his career, Rahul was viewed primarily as a toporder batter. Over the last few years, he has transformed himself into one of India’s most dependable middle-order options in ODIs. His overall numbers in the format are impressive but his record at No. 5 has been significant. He has provided stability, acceleration and most importantly, versatility. The Karnataka batter can absorb pressure when early wickets fall, rebuild an innings without panic and still find the gears required for a late surge. In a format where tempo management can decide matches, Rahul’s ability to move seamlessly between consolidation and counterattack gives India a rare cushion.His recent form has only strengthened that case. After scoring a composed century in the one-off Test against Afghanistan in New Chandigarh, Rahul produced a sharp cameo in the first ODI in Dharamshala, finishing unbeaten on 39 off 19 balls to hasten India’s chase in a rain-shortened, 25-overs-a-side contest.“Rahul adapts to conditions and formats quickly, as he has proven in these two games,” India’s spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule said, adding, “If you send him at any number, he is somebody who will perform for you. He understands the situation. He will be an important member of the team.”Rahul handed over the wicketkeeping gloves to Ishan Kishan in the opening ODI but he remains multi-dimensional. Whether he keeps wickets or plays as a specialist batter, his presence gives India flexibility. When Virat Kohli returns to the mix, that flexibility could become even more important as India work out how to fit experience, youth and role-specific options into a balanced XI.India’s seven-wicket win in Dharamshala had several positives. Yet Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz showed, with a blistering 48-ball hundred, that the visitors have enough quality to punish any loose spells. That is why Wednesday’s game will not be treated merely as a formality.