Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya declared fit for IND vs AFG ODI series? Here's the update

Senior batter Rohit Sharma and all-rounder Hardik Pandya, declared fit by the sports science team at the BCCI Centre of Excellence for the ODI series against Afghanistan, which begins on June 13. Both Rohit and Hardik missed a couple of IPL matches due to their respective issues. While Rohit Sharma was suffering from a hamstring injury, Hardik Pandya was suffering from back spasms. Hardik reached the BCCI COE on 2nd June to give his fitness test, while Rohit Sharma reached there on 8th June. 

"Hardik was on a holiday abroad before he checked in at the CoE on June 2. Over the next five days, he did several match simulations and even bowled (full quota of) 10 overs," a BCCI source told PTI. 

"There has been no discomfort and the information is that his fitness data for various parameters has been okayed by Strength and Conditioning coaches at the CoE," the source added. 

The fitness of Hardik and Rohit is good news for Team India, especially since star batsman Virat Kohli will likely miss a series due to injury for the first time in his career. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been included in his place. However, it remains to be seen whether he gets a chance in the playing XI or not. If reports are to be believed, wicket-keeper batsman Ishan Kishan could be given a chance at number 3 in place of Virat Kohli.

Yashasvi Jaiswal usually plays in the role of an opening batsman. In such a situation, if Jaiswal opens, Shubman Gill could find himself playing at number 3.

Sitanshu Kotak, India's assistant coach, stated on Monday that although he had no information on Pandya's fitness, the all-rounder was progressing well.

With his pace bowling and powerful hits in the final overs, Hardik Pandya provides balance to the team, making him a crucial member of India's white-ball strategy. The most comforting thing is that Pandya is prepared for the demands of 50-over cricket because he is bowling 10 overs during training.

However, it's unclear if Pandya will join the squad in Chandigarh for a light-filled training session or if the original idea was to link up directly in Dharamsala. The IND vs AFG ODI series will commence on June 13. Both teams recently engaged in a test match, where India registered their biggest test win. The 2nd ODI will be played on June 17 at Bharat Ratna Shree Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, while the 3rd and final ODI will be held at MA Chidambaram, Chennai, on June 20.  

India's ODI squad for Afghanistan series

Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey