- By Sunny Daud
- Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:55 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India captain Rohit Sharma’s participation in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan remains uncertain as he has been asked to undergo a fitness assessment at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence (CoE).
Will Rohit feature in ODI series vs Afghanistan?
Sports Tak reported that Rohit’s place in the squad will depend on whether he clears the required fitness tests. Following IPL 2026, the veteran opener was given a specific training programme aimed at improving his running workload and overall fitness levels. He has now been instructed to report to the CoE, where the medical team will evaluate his condition before taking a final call on his return to play.
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“After the IPL, Rohit was given a programme to improve his running load and fitness. He has now been asked to report to the Centre of Excellence for clearance before returning to competitive cricket,” a source told Sports Tak.
The uncertainty around Rohit’s fitness comes at a difficult time for India. The team is already dealing with the absence of Virat Kohli, who is set to miss the Afghanistan ODI series. If Rohit is also ruled out, India could be without two of their most experienced and influential batters for the three-match assignment.
Who can replace if Rohit Sharma misses out?
The series begins on June 14 in Dharamsala, and the selectors are closely monitoring the situation while preparing backup plans. Rohit’s fitness has been under the spotlight since he picked up a hamstring injury during IPL 2026. The injury has raised concerns about his readiness for international cricket, and the team management is unwilling to take any unnecessary risks.
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With an important white-ball tour of England scheduled for July, India is expected to take a cautious approach regarding injured players. The medical staff and team management are focused on ensuring that key players are fully fit rather than rushing them back into action.
India’s concerns do not end there. Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya is also being monitored at the Centre of Excellence after experiencing recurring back issues. The all-rounder had missed a few IPL matches because of similar problems and is expected to undergo a detailed fitness evaluation before a decision is made on his availability.
If Rohit fails to get the green signal from the medical team, Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to be the leading candidate to replace him in the ODI squad. The young left-hander has impressed whenever given opportunities and is regarded as India’s primary backup opening option in the format.
Jaiswal further strengthened his case with an outstanding performance in his most recent ODI appearance, where he scored his maiden international century. Given his recent form and the confidence the selectors have in him, he appears to be the most natural replacement should Rohit miss the Afghanistan series.