Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya were fit for the ODI vs Afghanistan

Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya and senior batsman Rohit Sharma have been cleared by BCCI’s Sports Science Center of Excellence team to take part in the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, starting in Dharamsala on Sunday.

Both Pandya and Rohit has missed several IPL matches for Mumbai Indians because of their respective problems. While Pandya was battling back spasms, Rohit was suffering from a hamstring strain. Hardik is at the CoE in Bengaluru from June 2.

“Hardik was on holiday abroad before reporting for the CoE on June 2. Over the next five days, he did several match simulations and even played (the full quota of) 10 overs,” a BCCI source told PTI.

“There was no discomfort and the information is that his fitness readings for various parameters were fine by the Strength and Conditioning coaches at the CoE,” the source added.

Former captain Rohit was also in the CoE to assess his hamstring paralysis and he also got the option after examination.

On Monday, India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak said that while he did not have an update on Pandya’s condition, he believed the all-rounder was doing well.

Pandya is an important cog in India’s white-ball set-up given the balance he lends to his side with his fast bowling and lusty strikes during the death overs.

The most relieving aspect is that Pandya is batting 10 overs during practice, which means he is ready for 50-over cricket.

However, it is not clear whether Pandya will join the team in Chandigarh for training under lights or will join directly in Dharamsala, which was the original plan.

Star batsman Virat Kohli is already missing for the series with a hamstring injury and has been replaced by Yashasvi Jaiswal. Apart from Dharamsala, games are on the rubber in Lucknow and Chennai on June 17 and June 20.

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Published on:

09 Jun 2026 14:03 IST