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Before the start of the India vs Afghanistan series, the BCCI selectors named a few players in the squad whose participation was subject to clearance from the BCCI. Two of the biggest names included former captain Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Hardik Pandya.
Hardik struggled with repeated injury concerns during the IPL 2026 campaign with the Mumbai Indians, frequently being in and out of the playing XI. On the other hand, Rohit missed five straight matches in the season due to a hamstring pull.
Though the MI management had claimed that Rohit’s return to the Mumbai XI was only after he recovered from his injuries, the BCCI selectors panel believes that he will have to visit the CoE before making a return for India in the 50-over series against Afghanistan.
Hardik Pandya's comeback date revealed ahead of Afghanistan ODIs
Hardik Pandya, the seasoned India all-rounder, has been in promising form throughout the T20 World Cup for India. However, several concerns were raised about the possible injuries in the ongoing IPL season when he returned to captain the Mumbai Indians.
Alongside form being a massive concern for the MI skipper, fitness has kept him out of the longer format of white-ball cricket. The last time he played the format for India was back in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy final against New Zealand.
With the World Cup preparations starting with the Afghanistan series, India would want their number 1 all-rounder to return with the best of his services. As per reports from TOI reporter Sahil Malhotra, Hardik is likely to reach the BCCI Centre of Excellence on the 2nd of June.
He is supposed to spend a week over there and then join the Indian team on the 11th of June for the ODI camp. The Test match ends on the 10th of June, and the first ODI will be played on the 13th.
Uncertainty looms over Rohit Sharma's return ahead of the Afghanistan series
Indian legendary opener Rohit Sharma has relinquished captaincy and has also retired from two forms of international cricket. The opening maestro only represents India in the longest format of limited-overs cricket.
However, he is still in contention for the opening spot in the Indian team for the upcoming World Cup in 2027 in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. As per experts, India would need the experience of the former skipper to analyse the conditions in the African continent.
However, Rohit might miss the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, as the Indian star has picked up certain injury concerns during his IPL 2026 campaign. He, too, has been asked to report to the CoE, but nothing has surfaced as a possible date for Rohit Sharma's visit to the BCCI Centre of Excellence or his return to the Indian team.
India begins training for the One-off Test against Afghanistan at Mullanpur
The Indian team has started their preparation for the one-off Test series against Afghanistan. The Afghanistan players had their first session during the morning session between 9:30 and 12:30 on the 2nd of June.
India returns with Gautam Gambhir as head coach and Shubman Gill as the captain of the side. They will train at New Mullanpur in the afternoon slot between 1:30 and 4:30. This will be the first training session for India with the red ball.
Auqib Nabi, the Ranji Trophy winner and highest wicket-taker of Jammu & Kashmir, has made his way to the Indian squad as a backup seamer. However, no injuries have been reported in the Indian squad.
