The selectors of the Indian cricket team will meet on June 6 to finaize the teams for the ODI series against Ireland and England. Several crucial decisions will have to be made. Out of these, the availability of the veteran trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya remains the biggest question. Undoubtedly, the Men in Blue are expected to unleash their biggest weapon in terms of bowling in the form of Jasprit Bumrah. However, thanks to India’s depth, they also have en number of back-up options as well, if none of their veterans make it to the squad owing to fitness issues.
Predicted India squad for India series vs IRE, ENG
Shubman Gill (C), Shreyas Iyer (VC), Rohit Shamra*, Virat Kohli*, KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya*, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
Backups: Ruturaj Gaikwad / Prince Yadav / Yashasvi Jaiswal
Will Rohit Sharma play?
Rohit Sharma is yet to get a fitness clearance from the BCCI after sustaining a hamstring injury during IPL 2026. In fact, he is expected to report to the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) CoE in Bengaluru on June 8. The Hitman will spend a couple of days at the centre, and will join the ODI squad for the series against Afghanistan only if he is declared fit. Now, should the selectors consider an opener as a back-up option, it would be none other than Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Jaiswal last featured in an ODI in 2025 against South Africa. Although he has been worthy of a spot in the 50-over format side, he has been denied a place due to the presence of Rohit and Gill. Now that there are aspersions over Sharma’s participation and his fitness, Yashasvi is the frontrunner to be named as his replacement. To date, Jaiswal has played just 4 ODIs in which he has scored 171 runs, which includes an unbeaten 116-run knock.
Virat Kohli unlikely
Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury and is also likely to miss the series against Ireland and England as well. While reports earlier claimed that he has been advised two weeks of rest, a fresh one has claimed that he could be out of action for at least six weeks, which means he will miss the series against England.
The best option to replace Kohli in the squad is Gaikwad, who is also the frontrunner to replace him the squad for the IND vs AFG ODIs. To date, Gaikwad has taken part in 9 ODIs in which he has amassed 228 runs, including a hundred and a half-century each. He played five 50-over format games in 2023 in which he scored 96 runs following which he was dropped. The CSK captain returned to the setup in 2025, having being picked in the side for the series against South Africa. He scored 105 runs in his last ODI outing on December 3, 2025 in Raipur.
All-rounder combination ft. Hardik Pandya
Like Kolhi and Rohit, Hardik Pandya’s return to international cricket is also dependent on if he gets his fitness clearance for the ODI series against AFG. If he does, then he will be a part of that three-match series and then may be included for the ODI series against England, as the team will expect to ramp up their preparations for the 2027 World Cup. However, should he fail to make the cut, then the Indian selectors have no choice but to name Nitish Kumar Reddy as his replacement. After all, Harshit Rana is yet to be declared completely fit after going under the knife earlier this year, and it is unsure when he will return to action.
Apart from Pandya, the all-rounders’ unit is likely to comprise of Axar Patel and Washington Sundar. There is very little scope for Ravindra Jadeja to return to the ODI setup as the selectors are looking ahead, and that he has been rested for the series against Afghanistan.
Bumrah returns
Jasprit Bumrah, who has rested after participating in the T20 World Cup 2026 and IPL 2026, is expected to return to international cricket in the series against England. Apart from Bumrah, Siraj is expected to the 50-over format setup after being rested for the series against AFG. Apart from the duo, Arshdeep and Krishna are expected to be a part of the pace battery. Prince Yadav, who earned his maiden call-up in the series against AFG, is expected to serve as the back-up pacer.
Cricket
Rohit Sharma expected to join Hardik Pandya at CoE, Virat Kohli could miss IND vs ENG series
