Team India bowling coach Morne Morkel has dismissed concerns over Rohit Sharma's fitness ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Morkel confirmed that the former Indian captain has completed all required fitness tests following his hamstring injury and is fully fit to play for the team.
India will face Afghanistan in the first ODI at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala on Saturday, June 13. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested, while Virat Kohli was ruled out after suffering an injury during the IPL 2026 final. The series is the first-ever bilateral ODI series between the two nations.
Rohit Sharma Is Moving Well and Training Well - Morne Morkel Provides Fitness Update
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Morne Morkel dismissed concerns about Rohit Sharma's fitness ahead of the ODI series against Afghanistan. The India bowling coach said that the captain had passed all fitness tests and looked comfortable during training.
"I didn't even notice that. It just shows that I don't think there's any issue. He's passed all his fitness tests. He's cleared and ready to go. Obviously, the balls are coming at high speeds and you want to protect yourself, even if there's a slight niggle. But I can assure you there's nothing wrong. Rohit is moving well and training well. So excited to see him go."
Rohit suffered a hamstring injury during IPL 2026 while playing for Mumbai Indians. The injury forced him to miss five league matches, although he later returned as an Impact Player. He was seen training with extra padding around his thigh during India's preparations.
The Calmness He Brings to the Dressing Room Is Always a Positive - Morne Morkel on Rohit Sharma
Morne Morkel praised Rohit Sharma's leadership and experience ahead of the ODI series against Afghanistan. The India bowling coach said Rohit's presence brings calmness to the dressing room and provides valuable guidance to the squad.
"Always nice to have his experience back as well. Just the calmness that he brings to the dressing room is always a positive to have. He's training well, he's moving well. So I know that he's also excited to go."
Rohit last played ODI cricket for India during the home series against New Zealand in January 2026. The opener scored 61 runs in three matches at an average of 20.33 and a strike rate of 76.25.
India's Road to the 2027 ODI World Cup Begins With Afghanistan Series
The ODI series against Afghanistan marks the start of India's preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which is expected to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia between October and November 2027. The team management will assess combinations and build depth ahead of the global event.
India will begin the series without several senior players. Jasprit Bumrah has been rested to manage his workload, while Virat Kohli is unavailable after suffering an injury during the IPL 2026 final. Their absence will allow the team to test other options and evaluate bench strength.
There were also concerns over Rohit Sharma's fitness after he suffered a hamstring injury during IPL 2026. However, the veteran opener passed all BCCI fitness tests and joined the squad ahead of the series. Rohit is fully fit, training well, and ready to return to action.
