Rohit Sharma's Availability in Doubt for Afghanistan ODI Series as Recovery Continues

India and Afghanistan are all set to face each other in a multi-format series. The tour will consist of one Test match followed by a three-match ODI series. The Test match will be played in Mullanpur from June 6, while the ODI matches are scheduled to take place in Dharamsala, Lucknow, and Chennai on June 13, 17, and 20 respectively. Ahead of the start of the series, the Indian team has been hit with a big blow as ace batter Virat Kohli was ruled out of the ODI series against Afghanistan due to the hamstring injury that he sustained midway through the IPL (Indian Premier League) 2026. 

With injury concerns continuing to mount, recent reports suggest that Rohit Sharma has not yet reported to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Instead, the former India captain has informed the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) that he will train at the IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali on June 8 and 9 as part of his recovery and preparation.

This development has further fuelled doubts over his availability for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan National Cricket Team. It is worth noting that Rohit Sharma was last in action for the Indian team in January 2026 in the multi-format series against New Zealand. The two sides met across three ODIs to kick off the series. However, he was unable to make a significant impact. 

Opening the innings, Rohit Sharma scored 61 runs across three ODI matches against New Zealand, and after a subpar season in the IPL, Rohit would be raring to go against Afghanistan as well, considering that he does play in the ODIs. In the IPL, Rohit Sharma only featured for Mumbai Indians across nine matches and scored 283 runs to his name, at an average of 35.37 and a strike rate of 157.22. Injury hampered Rohit’s season for the most part as Mumbai Indians became one of the first sides to be eliminated from the IPL 2026, finishing in ninth place in the standings with four wins and 10 losses in 14 matches.