The Indian cricket always remains in a predicament. Some stars, who are injury-prone, are bound to play for their IPL franchises, which directly-indirectly might affect their chances for selection in Team India. Just to make it amply clear, it is not a choice between the two — but just a web cricketers are caught in. Former MI skipper Rohit Sharma missed 5 matches due to a hamstring injury in IPL 2026, during the RCB game. And then Hardik Pandya has been out for the last three, due to back spasms.
Even though their respective injuries are not serious enough — they have, for sure put a question mark over their participation in the IND vs AFG ODI series, that starts on June 14. While announcing the ODI squad on Tuesday, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia made it clear, that their participation depends on their fitness clearance.
Batting not an issue for Rohit Sharma, but not a 100% on field
IN the last few games, Rohit has returned to playing, and even scored an 84 against LSG, but then is playing as an impact sub. He remains out of the park when MI fields, and is used as an impact sub. As per a report in India Today, he is yet to clear BCCI’s high-speed running and fielding standards, which are important for selection in ODI team.
If he fails to clear the test, India might just have to look at Yashasvi Jaiswal, who has been waiting in the wings for way too long. It is still not clear, as to when this fitness test will take place. But then, Rohit cannot be easily replaced, and his record in ODIs is second to none. In 282 matches, he has scored 11,577 at an average of 49.
Hardik Pandya’s situation remains unclear
Even though he has been out for 3-4 matches, on the eve of the match, he can been practicing for long hours. So one isn’t really sure if the all-rounder has recovered fully or not. He too will have to undergo fitness tests, and if he fails, the BCCI could name a replacement as well.
There is also the presence of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the squad — who is a fast-bowling all-rounder too. That said, Pandya brings the kind of balance to the team, like no other player does. In 94 ODIs, he has scored 1904 runs at an average of 32.82, and has also picked up 91 wickets.
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