Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
India’s injury concerns ahead of the Afghanistan ODI series may not end with Virat Kohli. The selectors are also awaiting clarity on Rohit Sharma’s fitness, with the India captain yet to clear the mandatory fitness test required for his participation in the three-match series.
Kohli has already been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 final victory over Gujarat Titans. Now, uncertainty also surrounds Rohit, who struggled with a hamstring issue during the IPL and missed a significant portion of Mumbai Indians’ campaign.
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According to a report in The Indian Express, Rohit’s inclusion in the ODI squad was always subject to him clearing a fitness test. However, as things stand, there has been no update on the opener’s assessment and he is yet to report to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
The development leaves India facing the possibility of missing two of their most experienced batters for a series that begins on June 14 in Dharamsala. While Kohli’s replacement is expected to be announced soon, selectors may also have to prepare contingency plans if Rohit fails to prove his fitness in time.
The selectors are expected to discuss Rohit’s status when they meet to finalise India’s T20 squads for the UK tour and the upcoming Asian Games.
WHY IS ROHIT SHARMA DOUBTFUL FOR AFGHANISTAN ODIs?
Rohit’s availability has remained under the scanner since he sustained a hamstring injury during the IPL season.
The India captain was forced to miss several Mumbai Indians matches as the franchise carefully managed his workload during the latter stages of the tournament. Despite the injury concerns, he was named in India’s ODI squad for the Afghanistan series.
However, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar had made it clear during the squad announcement that Rohit’s participation would depend entirely on him clearing a fitness assessment.
As of now, there has been no official update on the result of that fitness test. Reports suggest that Rohit has not yet reported to the Centre of Excellence, where players recovering from injuries are monitored before returning to competitive action.
The uncertainty comes at a challenging time for India, who have already lost Kohli after scans revealed a distal semimembranosus tendon tear sustained during the IPL final. With India also scheduled to tour England for a white-ball series in July, the team management is expected to take a cautious approach with any player carrying injury concerns.
There are also fresh concerns around Hardik Pandya, who is currently being monitored at the Centre of Excellence following recurring back issues that forced him to miss a couple of IPL matches. Like Rohit, Pandya is expected to undergo a fitness test before a final call is taken on his participation.
WHO WILL REPLACE ROHIT SHARMA IN AFG ODIs?
If Rohit is unable to clear his fitness test, Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to be the frontrunner for a recall to the ODI squad.
The left-handed opener was India’s third-choice opening option during recent ODI assignments and remains highly rated by the selectors. Jaiswal also strengthened his credentials in his last ODI appearance, where he scored his maiden century for India.
Interestingly, India had preferred Ishan Kishan as the backup opener during the Afghanistan squad selection despite Jaiswal’s impressive performances. However, with Rohit’s fitness now uncertain, the Rajasthan Royals batter appears well placed to earn another opportunity.
Jaiswal’s compact technique and ability to score quickly at the top of the order make him an attractive option to partner captain Shubman Gill if Rohit is unavailable.
The selectors are expected to take a final call in the coming days, but with Kohli already ruled out and questions lingering over Rohit and Pandya, India’s squad for the Afghanistan series could look significantly different from the one originally announced.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
