Former India captain Rohit Sharma has been picked in the ODI squad for three-ODI series against Afghanistan at home next month. Rohit’s participation is subject to fitness and it has left the selectors concerned. As per a report by TOI, Rohit didn't report to BCCI's centre of excellence when he was out of action due to a hamstring injury suffered during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 last month. Rohit has been playing as an impact player and there are concerns over his fitness to withstand the gruelling ODI format.
“Rohit didn’t report to the BCCI’s centre of excellence (CoE) for those three weeks. He has become lean but there are concerns about his body being able to take the load of high-performance sport. He has to field for 50 overs. ODI cricket doesn’t have the option of an Impact Player like IPL. Body takes time to heal when you are so close to turning 40,” a BCCI source told the English daily.
Rohit returned to action earlier this month and has scored 146 runs from four innings. With Mumbai Indians (MI) out of IPL playoffs contention and their last league match scheduled for May 24, the 39-year-old will have a few weeks’ time to regain full fitness.
Selectors gearing up to replace Rohit already?
However, The concerns around the veteran opener's fitness have led to selectors and team management looking for backup openers for ODI World Cup 2027 in South Africa. Yashasvi Jaiswal seemed an automatic option but the selectors feel he hasn't got enough game time. So, they have picked Ishan Kishan as a contingency plan if Rohit doesn't play in the mega event. Also, they are preparing for an unfortunate situation if either skipper Shubman Gill or Jaiswal gets injured.
“There aren’t many ODIs before the World Cup. As it is Jaiswal hasn’t got enough game time. Ishan has been picked so that he can double up as an opener. But if Rohit fails to make it to the World Cup and either Shubman Gill or Jaiswal gets injured, there needs to be another opener ready,” the source added.
Rohit set to surpass Kallis, Inzamam’s spot in sight too
After May 24, Rohit will be seen in action when the three-ODI series commences on June 14 at Dharamsala's HPCA Stadium. Rohit is nearing a major feat in ODIs. He needs three more runs to surpass South Africa's legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis. Rohit can become the seventh-highest run-scorer in ODIs, going past former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq as well if he scores big in the three-ODI series. Rohit currently has 11,577 runs from 274 innings at an average of 48.84, featuring 33 centuries and 61 fifties.