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Rohit Sharma doubtful to play in Afghanistan series: The Indian national cricket team will take the field again months after winning the T20 World Cup 2026. The Men in Blue will be playing in a different format from Saturday, facing Afghanistan in the one-off Test match at the New Chandigarh Stadium. Apart from the Test match, they are set to play a three-match ODI series with the same team.
There is some serious news coming before the ODI series as Virat Kohli has already been ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury. It is now reported that Rohit Sharma is also going to miss the games in the 50-over format after suffering a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Rohit Sharma will miss the Afghanistan series!
Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya were included in the ODI squad, but BCCI chief selector Ajit Agarkar made it clear that their availability will entirely depend on their fitness, as both have been battling injuries during IPL 2026. Before entering the team, both the cricketers will have to pass a fitness test at the BCCI COE (Center of Excellence).
Rohit Sharma is yet to report to the COE in Bengaluru and according to reports, he is set to be ruled out of the series as the injury looks more serious than before. The former India captain has not been in good form in the IPL in recent times; However, both the formats are completely opposite.
Rohit Sharma’s participation in ODI World Cup doubtful?
Rohit Sharma, despite playing only one format i.e. ODI, is in good form. The 39-year-old opening batsman finished as India’s second-highest run-scorer last year with 650 runs in 14 matches and innings at an average of 50.00 and a strike rate of 100.46, with a best score of 121*. He performed sensationally in the series against Australia and then played good innings against South Africa.
But he hasn’t had the best of performances against New Zealand this year, as he scored just 61 runs in three innings with a best score of 25, raising serious concerns over his form ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. There are still doubts about his participation in the next World Cup to be held in South Africa.
Virat-Rohit pair will miss the Afghanistan series!
After getting injured against RCB, this experienced player could not play even in some matches of IPL. Rohit has scored 283 runs in nine IPL matches this season at an average of 35.37 and a strike rate of 1576.22, with two fifties and a top score of 84.
Apart from him, Virat Kohli has already been ruled out of the series due to the same injury he suffered during the IPL final against Gujarat Titans. This is a big blow for the Men in Blue as two of their best 50-over players of this generation are out.
Many more to follow…
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