Rohit Sharma's Fitness Under Spotlight After Training Ground Injury
Rohit Sharma suffered an injury scare ahead of India's first ODI against Afghanistan after being struck on his right thumb during a training session in Dharamshala. The incident occurred on Friday when fast bowler Prasidh Krishna delivered a ball that hit the veteran opener on the hand, briefly raising concerns within the Indian camp. Fortunately, Rohit was able to continue training after receiving treatment, although he appeared uncomfortable for some time.
According to reports from the training session, the Indian star resumed batting after the blow but did not look at his fluent best. Observers noted that Sharma appeared rusty during the remainder of the nets, struggling to find his usual rhythm. While there has been no official indication that the injury is serious, the incident has once again highlighted concerns surrounding his fitness.
A source present at the training session reportedly said, "Rohit was hit on the thumb during batting practice. He continued after a brief pause, but there was visible discomfort initially. The team management will continue to monitor him closely ahead of the match." The Indian camp is expected to assess his condition before finalizing the playing XI for the series opener.
The timing of the scare is significant because the Afghanistan series forms an important part of India's preparations for the 2027 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. Rohit, who now represents India only in the ODI format, is expected to play a crucial role in the team's plans. With younger players pushing for opportunities, every series carries added importance for the veteran opener.
Fitness has remained a recurring concern for Rohit in recent months. During the IPL 2026 season, he suffered a hamstring injury while representing Mumbai Indians in a match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The setback forced him to miss five matches and raised questions about his ability to manage the physical demands of international cricket at this stage of his career.
A team insider was quoted as saying, "Rohit has worked extremely hard to regain full fitness after the IPL setback. Naturally, any injury concern at this stage will attract attention because of the packed schedule and India's long-term plans." With the ODI World Cup less than two years away, maintaining fitness will be just as important as maintaining form.
Should Rohit be unavailable for the opening ODI, India have multiple options to reshuffle their batting order. Captain Shubman Gill could partner Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order, while wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan may slot into the number three position. Jaiswal himself earned a place in the squad after being named as Virat Kohli's replacement for the series.
For now, there is optimism within the Indian camp that Rohit will be fit enough to take the field against Afghanistan. The experienced opener has an opportunity to silence concerns surrounding both his form and fitness with a strong performance. As India begins its journey toward the 2027 World Cup, Rohit's fitness will remain under the spotlight, and every innings could play a key role in shaping his future in the national side.
