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Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are yet to get clearances at the BCCI’s Center of Excellence (CoE) for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan. Ahead of the 3-match ODI series, the host nation has been dealing with multiple injury threats.
After the dominating win against Afghanistan in the one-off Test on Monday in New Chandigarh, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak provided some vital inputs about Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya’s chances to play the ODI series, starting on June 13 in Dharamshala.
Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are uncertain for the IND vs AFG ODI series
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has named both Rohit and Hardik for the ODI series, but their participation is depending one their fitness status. If they receive nods from the CoE, only then will they be able to take the grounds against Afghanistan.
Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya both had to miss multiple matches during the IPL 2026 season with the Mumbai Indians. While Rohit had a hamstring issue, Pandya reportedly missed a few IPL 2026 games because of a back spasm. During the league, the nature of the injuries of these two stars was unclear.
However, despite sustaining injuries, both teams returned to action before the conclusion of the group stage. After making the return, Rohit Sharma played for the Mumbai Indians as an impact sub.
Crucial matches in the lead-up to the ODI World Cup 2027
Ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup, all of the upcoming ODI series will be very crucial for the Men in Blue and for the individuals as well. The recent forms of Rohit and Hardik were not satisfying during the Indian Premier League 2026 campaign.
Through the 3-match ODI series against Afghanistan, players will try to prove their antics again to keep themselves in contention, while the selectors will sit down to discuss the squad for the ODI World Cup.
Sitanshu Kotak shares updates on Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya
Sitanshu Kotak is hopeful to get both of the players on board for the ODI series. At the press conference, he claimed that at that moment, he had no confirmed update about both Hardik and Rohit, but he heard that they were fine. According to the procedures, players are liable to prove their fitness through a process at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru.
“I’ve honestly not got the news whether they have been cleared or not, but I’m sure they’ll be there. Whatever I heard, they are fine. But they have to go and do that fitness test or whatever the rule is. Before coming here (for the press conference), I had not asked the physio when they were actually going,” India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Monday.
“The ODI players will join the team here, and there may be a light practice day after tomorrow evening,” he added.
According to a Times of India report, published on their website on June 9, Rohit was due to visit the CoE on Monday, while the younger Pandya brother has been there since June 2.
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