Ruturaj Gaikwad is anticipated to be named because the alternative for injured Virat Kohli in India’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, while Rajat Patidar is prone to be included within the India A squad set to travel to Sri Lanka for a tri-series also featuring Afghanistan.
The senior selection committee has been forced to think about late squad changes after Kohli was ruled out of the Afghanistan series, starting June 14 in Dharamsala, on account of the hamstring injury he sustained in the course of the IPL 2026 final on Sunday. Kohli has reportedly been advised to take at the least two weeks of rest.
Although he could get better in time for the ultimate ODI on June 20, selectors are unlikely to risk including him for a brief three-match series. Gaikwad had earlier been added to the India A squad following the injury to Riyan Parag in the course of the IPL season. An official confirmation regarding the most recent squad changes is anticipated shortly.
During Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successful run chase against Gujarat Titans within the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad, Virat Kohli reportedly experienced slight discomfort in his hamstring and required transient medical attention on the sphere. Although he continued batting without visible difficulty, subsequent scans later confirmed a hamstring injury.
Having been advised a two-week rest period, Kohli now faces a race against time to regain full match fitness, especially with India’s packed ODI schedule ahead, including the upcoming white-ball tour of England in July featuring three ODIs.
Selectors to Review Rohit Sharma’s Fitness Ahead of Afghanistan ODIs
Other than Kohli, selectors are also expected to evaluate Rohit Sharma’s fitness once they meet on Saturday to finalise India’s T20 squads for the UK tour and the Asian Games. Despite scuffling with a hamstring issue and missing several matches for Mumbai Indians during IPL 2026, Rohit was included in India’s ODI squad for the Afghanistan series.
Nonetheless, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had clarified that his participation would depend upon clearing a fitness test. As of now, there was no official update regarding Rohit’s fitness, and he’s yet to report back to the Board of Control for Cricket in India Centre of Excellence.
Should Rohit fail to receive clearance, selectors could turn to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was India’s third-choice opener within the previous two ODI series. Although he scored his maiden ODI century in his last appearance, selectors had preferred Ishan Kishan because the backup opener for the Afghanistan task.
Nonetheless, Jaiswal’s solid technique and impressive potential make him a robust contender to partner captain Shubman Gill at the highest of the order if Rohit is unavailable. There are also concerns surrounding Hardik Pandya.
The all-rounder missed just a few IPL matches due to a recurring back problem and has since reported to the Centre of Excellence, where his fitness is being closely monitored. Like Rohit, Pandya is anticipated to undergo a fitness test, and provided that he’s cleared to bowl will he be included within the squad. Otherwise, selectors can have to discover a alternative for him as well.
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