Rohit Sharma yet to clear fitness test; might follow Virat Kohli on sidelines for Afghanistan ODIs

Rohit Sharma was included in India's squad for the ODIs on conditions that he has to pass a fitness test.

The day for the Indian cricket fans started on a sour note. As we start to shift our focus from the IPL to international cricket, India has suffered a massive blow. After Virat Kohli’s hamstring injury ruled him out, Rohit Sharma is now also unlikely to feature in the three-match series after failing to recover fully from the hamstring problem he sustained during IPL 2026.

Rohit’s inclusion in the squad had always come with an asterisk. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar made it clear at the time of selection that both Rohit and Hardik Pandya would need fitness clearance from the BCCI Centre of Excellence before being allowed to join the squad. As things stand, that clearance has not arrived.

According to reports by ANI, Rohit is yet to report to the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, making his participation increasingly doubtful. An official confirmation from the BCCI is still awaited, but the signs are not encouraging. The ODI series will begin on June 13, while the players were asked to gather on June 9 in Chandigarh.

India could be without Rohit and Virat

Some fans are still interested in ODIs since both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma feature in that. They play. They dominate and hunt to prepare for the ODI World Cup 2027. Kohli is already expected to miss the Afghanistan series after suffering a hamstring injury shortly after helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) win IPL 2026. If Rohit is also ruled out, India would be without the two pillars of their ODI batting unit.

Most ODI runs by an opener since Rohit Sharma’s Test retirement

Rohit’s injury dates back to Mumbai Indians’ disappointing IPL campaign. Even after returning towards the end of the tournament, he was used only as an Impact Player, implying he was not fully fit to field or handle a complete workload. That would explain the caution being exercised now. At 39, Rohit is an ODI specialist.

Having already retired from T20Is in 2024 and Tests in 2025, every ODI assignment is carefully managed with the 2027 World Cup firmly in mind. The veteran opener remains India’s most prolific ODI opener since returning from Test retirement.

If not fit on time, Yashasvi Jaiswal remains a solid shout to replace Rohit in the side. He will be in action in the upcoming one-off Test against Afghanistan in Mullanpur. Jaiswal was also part of India’s ODI series against South Africa and New Zealand but failed to get game time, as India has a lock-in opening pair in captain Shubman Gill and Rohit.

Hardik’s fitness also under scanner

Rohit isn’t the only senior player under observation. Hardik Pandya is currently undergoing assessments after suffering back spasms during IPL 2026.

The all-rounder recently checked into the CoE and is expected to undergo match simulations and workload tests before a final call is taken. India have already rested Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel are also absent from the squad. Instead, selectors have opted to blood youngsters such as Harsh Dubey, Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar.

The first ODI against Afghanistan begins on June 13 in Dharamsala. Unless there is a significant improvement over the next few days, Rohit may have to watch from the sidelines alongside Kohli, leaving India without two of their biggest ODI stars.

India’s squad for AFG ODIs

Shubman Gill (captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington, Kuldeep, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Hardik Pandya