Rohit Sharma only plays ODIs for India. Image Credits- AFP
With the IPL 2026 underway, the buzz is around the Indian squads for the bilateral series against Afghanistan, scheduled straight after the conclusion of the lucrative league. With the IND vs AFG ODIs, the Mission 2027 World Cup will begin for Team India. Whether Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be in for the mission remains the biggest question.
The Indian Test and ODI squads are to be announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on May 19, as the board secretary Devajit Saikia had already said.
Although the Test squad won't have any surprises, the Indian team for the IND vs AFG ODIs could have several. Jasprit Bumrah's workload will surely be a concern for management, while Hardik Pandya's back spasm has also become the talk of the hour.
Rohit Sharma's 2027 World Cup future to be discussed
If reports are to be believed, the former Indian captain Rohit Sharma is on the verge of getting dropped from the ODI squad for the Afghanistan series.
According to the Times of India, the Champion Trophy-winning skipper is no longer in the selectors' vision for the upcoming ODI World Cup in 2027. As the selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir will meet before announcing the squads, a final take on Rohit Sharma's 2027 World Cup future will be taken.
Allegedly, the Indian selectors don't want to compromise on the fitness standards of players, and Rohit Sharma's recent hamstring injury in the IPL 2026 leaves him in deep waters.
Also Read: CSK Issue Official Statement On MS Dhoni's IPL Future For 2027 Season
Rohit had already retired from Tests and T20Is, and only features for the Men in Blue in ODIs. Despite his tremendous work on his fitness, the team management, led by Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir, allegedly has doubts over the 39-year-old as far as his endurance for 50-over cricket is concerned.
Talking about fitness, Virat Kohli has been redefining age in the IPL 2026, and the team management is reportedly happy with his agility and run-scoring.
Rohit Sharma's IPL campaign curtailed by hamstring injury
The former MI captain Rohit Sharma started the IPL 2026 with a bang, scoring a match-winning 78 against KKR. However, he played a couple of more matches with a similar intent before pulling his hamstring in the match vs RCB.
The Rohit Sharma injury forced him to miss almost half of the season, and he only returned vs LSG when MI were almost eliminated from the IPL 2026.
Since then, the 39-year-old batter has only featured as an Impact Player, as the Mumbai-based franchise is also unsure of Rohit’s fitness.
Tough calls to be taken on Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja are two pure all-rounders that Team India is blessed with. Pandya has been a vital cog in the white-ball setup, while the spinning all-rounder, just like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, plays the ODI format.
However, the team management is expected to take tough calls over the two veteran all-rounders. Pandya has been missing recent MI matches due to back spasms. The BCCI won't look to push an underprepared Pandya in the taxing format.
Meanwhile, Jadeja will have to punch much above his weight, with spinning all-rounder like Axar Patel and Washington Sundar breathing down his neck.
Also Read: Ishan Kishan Brutally Mocks CSK With ‘Whistle Podu’ Celebration After SRH Win
