India’s senior duo Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be back in action within two weeks of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final. The former captains have been retained their place in the ODI squad for Afghanistan series. Sports Tak has learnt that discussions about resting them took place in the selection meeting on May 19 but it was decided that the two play just one format on the international stage. The need for team bonding considering a few youngsters are walking into the side also led to Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee deciding against it.
“The panel including chief selector had a detailed discussion for the series versus Afghanistan. Both are playing regularly in their respective IPL matches. There was a possibility to give them rest. However, on second thought, they they only play one format and its important to give them match time. Also, it would be better for team bonding, especially the youngsters would gel around them and it was the reason panel decided not to rest them. Both Rohit and Virat can evaluate their performance and fitness as well in the home series,” a source close to the selection talks told Sports Tak.
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Of late, there have been talks around Rohit and Kohli’s ODI future and whether they will be in the squad for ODI World Cup 2027. So far, none of them is guaranteed a spot in the ODI World Cup squad as form and fitness will be taken into account when the tournament approaches.
“World Cup is too far away and nobody is permanently in or out of the scheme of things. Their selection and anyone else’s will depend on their form and fitness,” the source added.
Rohit, Kohli’s form in IPL 2026
The ODI series begins on June 14 at Dharamsala's HPCA Stadium. In the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) Virat Kohli finds himself in contention for the orange cap. From 13 innings, he has scored 542 runs at an average of 54.20 and strike rate of 164.74. He has one century and four fifties in the season already.
Meanwhile, Rohit has missed six games due to a hamstring injury that forced him to retire out in the run chase against RCB last month. He has been playing as an impact player. So far, from seven innings, he has scored 268 runs at an average of 44.66 and strike rate of 164.41. He has scored two fifties in his truncated season due to injury. On May 20, there was an asterisk in front of his name when the ODI squad was announced. His participation in the Afghanistan ODI series is subject to fitness.