Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Face Fitness Concerns Ahead of ODI Series Against Afghanistan
Rohit Sharma's Uncertain Participation
Rohit Sharma, the Indian batter and former captain, may not participate in the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, according to sources from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He has been included in the squad, but his involvement hinges on his fitness following a hamstring injury that limited his play during the Indian Premier League (IPL).
In the IPL this season, Rohit played nine matches, accumulating 283 runs with an average of 35.37 and a strike rate of 157.62, featuring two half-centuries and a top score of 84. At 39 years old, he has transitioned to being an ODI-only player, having retired from T20 internationals after leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup in 2024 and stepping away from Test cricket in May of the previous year. His last ODI captaincy saw him lead India to an ICC Champions Trophy victory in March 2025, where he scored 76 runs against New Zealand in the final. Last year, he was India's second-highest run-scorer with 650 runs in 14 innings, averaging 50.00 with a strike rate of 100.46, and a personal best of 121*. However, his recent ODI performance against New Zealand yielded only 61 runs across three innings, with a maximum score of 25.
Virat Kohli's Injury Update
Virat Kohli has also been ruled out of the ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury, as reported by BCCI sources. He appeared to struggle with his running during the IPL final against the Gujarat Titans but managed to score 75 runs off 42 balls, helping his team chase a challenging target of 156 runs.
The ODI series will feature three matches starting from June 13, following a one-off Test match between the two teams in New Chandigarh. Although Rohit Sharma is part of the ODI squad, his participation remains uncertain due to fitness concerns.
Kohli's Impressive IPL Performance
In the IPL, Kohli finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer and the leading scorer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), amassing 675 runs in 16 innings at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84, including one century and five fifties, with a top score of 105*. The 37-year-old is regarded as one of the greatest ODI players, ranking second in all-time runs with 14,797 in 299 innings, averaging 58.71, and holding the record for the most centuries (54) and fifties (77) in ODIs, with a best score of 183.
Kohli has also transitioned to being an ODI-exclusive player, retiring from T20Is after the 2024 T20 World Cup and from Test cricket last May before the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship cycle. Since last year, he has scored 891 runs in 16 matches, averaging 68.53 with a strike rate of 98.45, including four centuries and five fifties, with a best score of 135. His contributions were vital in India's ICC Champions Trophy victory last year.
Since adopting the ODI-exclusive role, Kohli has scored 616 runs in nine matches at an average of 88 and a strike rate of 106.39, featuring three centuries and three fifties. In his latest ODI series against New Zealand, he was the top scorer for India, amassing 240 runs in three matches at an average of 80.00, including one century and one fifty.