Rohit Sharma’s ODI Future At Stake In IND vs AFG 3rd ODI At Chennai

Rohit Sharma [Source: AFP]

Rohit Sharma spent nearly a month out of action during the IPL 2026 season for the Mumbai Indians franchise owing to a hamstring concern. In his final four innings of the tournament after his return to the team’s playing XI, the legendary opener aggregated just 62 runs in four innings at a dismal average of 15.50. 

Even in the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, the former Indian captain has punched out scores of just 16 and 48 in the first two matches to chart 64 runs in two innings. 

Owing to his lackluster returns off late, and with the simultaneous rise of a certain SRH star, the future of Sharma’s ODI career seems to be looking bleak, especially during India’s road towards the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup next year. 

Ishan Kishan threatens the ODI future of Rohit Sharma

As reported by the Indian Express, the successful return of Ishan Kishan into India’s ODI team has apparently put pressure on legendary opener Rohit Sharma and young left-hander Yashasvi Jaiswal.

It is worth noting that while Jaiswal was named in the India squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan as a replacement of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma was included after attaining full recovery from his hamstring concern that plagued him during the IPL 2026 season. 

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It appears that even though Ishan Kishan is a wicketkeeper-batter, the place of fellow stumper KL Rahul is completely safe in the team as of now. 

Rohit Sharma’s case, however, continues to haunt the selectors especially after Kishan’s T20 World Cup 2026 heroics and his explosive century against Afghanistan in Lucknow. The report further states it is also the reason why the BCCI is yet to announce India squad for the upcoming ODI series in England.

All in all, a lot is riding on the upcoming dead-rubber third ODI match against Afghanistan in Chennai, especially for the former Indian captain. The Indian Express report adds that while Rohit Sharma might still find a place in the Indian squad for the England tour next month, another failure for the legendary opener in Chennai might put the BCCI selection committee in a serious dilemma. 

How Ishan Kishan made a strong case for himself

Batting at number four, Ishan Kishan bludgeoned 125 runs off just 79 balls against Afghanistan in the second ODI earlier this week. The blistering left-hander launched 14 boundaries and seven huge sixes in Lucknow as India mounted 402. 

The innings marked Ishan’s second ODI century, and helped him complete 1,000 runs in the format. 

Interestingly, the 27-year-old also did something similar on his T20I return earlier this year, when his 20-overs heroics against New Zealand fast-tracked him into India’s top-order for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Kishan justified his late promotion by unleashing cracking knocks in India’s successful title defense at home.

India to face Afghanistan in final ODI before England tour

With a 2-0 series lead in the pocket, India will now face Afghanistan in the third ODI match in Chennai on Saturday, June 20. 

The match marks India’s final ODI outing before the series in England next month. The BCCI will be expected to announce India’s squad for the European tour shortly after the impending dead-rubber.

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