Virat Kohli ruled out of ODIs against Afghanistan; selectors concerned about Rohit and Hardik’s fitness

NEW CHANDIGARH: The Indian ODI team picked for the three-match series against Afghanistan starting from June 13 is hit by injury concerns. It has emerged that Virat Kohli is set to miss the series due to a hamstring injury while there is no clarity about Rohit Sharma’s fitness. Ruturaj Gaikwad could be flown in for the series.


“Official communication will come on that. It’s obviously big news when it’s someone like Virat or Rohit, but the same protocols will be in place,” India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said on Thursday.







Kohli sustained the injury in the IPL final last Sunday and may need another fortnight to recover. Rohit and Hardik Pandya have been picked for the series subject to fitness. Both missed a significant part of the IPL. Rohit is reportedly nursing an injured hamstring while the selectors need assurance about Hardik’s ability to bowl 10 overs in an ODI at full tilt.

Hardik is currently at the centre of excellence. But Rohit is yet to report to any BCCI facility. The ODI team is scheduled to arrive in Chandigarh on June 8 and train at the PCA stadium in Mohali.

Iyer frontrunner to be T20I captain


TOI understands that Shreyas Iyer could be given the T20I captaincy in place of Suryakumar Yadav. Tilak Varma is also tipped to become the new T20I vice-captain. If that happens, Varma could lead India in the Asian Games since Iyer will be busy with ODI assignment against West Indies at home.

Bumrah’s workload in focus


The selectors will also take stock of Jasprit Bumrah’s workload before the UK tour. The selectors want him absolutely fit for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka in August. He may be given a break from T20Is if not ODIs as well.