Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya will play ODI series against Afghanistan, got green signal from COE

Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya: Former Team India captain Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Hardik Pandya have been declared fit for the Afghanistan series. This update has been given by the Center of Excellence (CEO) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Where both the players were declared fit.

Hardik was suffering from back spasms

After passing the fitness test, it has been decided for Rohit and Hardik to play the ODI series against Afghanistan. Pandya was suffering from back cramps. Because of this, he could not play some matches for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026. He was sent to COE in Bangalore for his fitness routine.

Rohit was injured during IPL 2026

Rohit Sharma also suffered a hamstring injury during IPL 2026. Both were undergoing recovery process at the COE, where they were declared fit on Tuesday. Both Rohit and Pandya were part of the Indian team for the ODI series against Afghanistan, but their playing was dependent on passing the fitness test. Both the veteran players will now be seen playing in the 3-match ODI series against Afghanistan.

Virat Kohli out of Afghanistan series

Virat Kohli has been ruled out of Afghanistan ODI series due to injury. In such a situation, the Indian team has become stronger with Rohit and Hardik being declared fit. Rohit played his last ODI against New Zealand on 18 January 2026. Hardik has not played any ODI since India’s Champions Trophy win in March 2025.

The first ODI between India and Afghanistan is to be played on June 13 in Dharamshala. For this the team will reach Dharamshala on Wednesday. The second ODI will be played on June 17 in Lucknow and the third ODI on June 20 in Chennai.

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After becoming the winner of T20 World Cup 2026, the next target of the Indian team is ODI World Cup 2027. With the Afghanistan series, Team India will take steps towards achieving that goal.

With IANS inputs