Rohit and Hardik cleared to play as India set their Afghanistan ODI squad
India will have Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya available for the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan after both passed fitness tests at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.
Jun 9, 2026
India have caught a break before their one-day series against Afghanistan. Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, both carrying knocks that had put their participation in doubt, were cleared to play after passing fitness assessments at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. The sign-off from the board’s sports science staff tidies up most of India’s selection picture ahead of the opening match in Dharamsala on June 14.
Two fitness clouds clear
Pandya had been nursing back spasms, the latest flare-up of a problem that has interrupted his cricket more than once. He reported to the Centre of Excellence on June 2 and worked his way through match simulations, including a spell of 10 overs, without any reaction. A BCCI source said his fitness data across the various parameters had been signed off by the strength and conditioning coaches. For Pandya it marks a return to ODI cricket after more than a year away from the format.
Rohit’s issue was a hamstring niggle, less severe but enough to keep selectors waiting on the medical staff rather than naming him outright. He too came through the testing, and India’s top order keeps its most experienced opener for a series they will be expected to win comfortably.
Gill leads, Kohli sits it out
Shubman Gill takes charge of India for both the one-off Test and the ODIs, with Shreyas Iyer named his deputy. Gill has already had a good week in the role, having led the side to a heavy win over Afghanistan in the red-ball game that preceded this series.
Virat Kohli is the notable absentee. He picked up a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final and was ruled out before the squad was finalised, with Yashasvi Jaiswal drafted in to replace him. Kohli’s absence opens a top-order spot, and with Rohit, Gill, Jaiswal, Iyer and KL Rahul all in the mix, India will not be short of batting.
Bumrah rested as the bench gets a look
Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the series as part of the workload management that has shaped his schedule for a while now. His absence, combined with a low-stakes assignment against an opponent India have already outplayed in the Test, gives the selectors room to look at less-established names. Gurnoor Brar is among the uncapped players to earn a call-up, and the squad carries enough depth in spin and seam to share the load across three matches.
Three matches, three venues
The series opens in Dharamsala on June 14 before moving to Lucknow on June 17 and finishing in Chennai on June 20. Afghanistan arrive on the back of a chastening Test in which they were well beaten, and the white-ball format gives them a better chance to compete, particularly through their spinners. India, though, will treat the series as useful one-day mileage for a settled core and a chance to hand opportunities to the players knocking on the door.