Rohit Sharma (Source: AFP)
Finally, the wait is over, and after a long rain delay, the toss has taken place for the much-awaited India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI. It is important to note that Indian Captain Shubman Gill has won the toss and opted to bowl first at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala on June 13.
Check the playing XIs of India and Afghanistan:
Afghanistan Playing XI: Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Rahmat Shah, Hashmatullah Shahidi (c), Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai, Allah Mohammad Ghazanfar, Mohammad Saleem Safi, Ziaur Rahman Sharifi
India Playing XI: Shubman Gill (c), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan (wk), Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna
One of the biggest talking points of the IND vs AFG 1st ODI was Rohit Sharma's return to international cricket after the recently concluded IPL 2026.
Also Read: Rohit Sharma Done With Indian Cricket? Latest Visuals Spark Concern
Rohit Sharma Surpasses Mohinder Amarnath's Long-Standing Record
In the IND vs AFG 1st ODI, Rohit Sharma set a historic milestone, becoming the oldest player to represent India in ODIs and clearly proving that 'Age is just a number'.
At the age of 39 years and 44 days, Rohit surpassed the previous record held by Mohinder Amarnath, who was 39 years and 36 days old when he played his final ODI for India against the West Indies at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in 1989.
The third on the list is Master Blaster - Sachin Tendulkar (38 years 329 days).
Oldest Indian Players to Represent India in ODIs:
- 39y 44d - Rohit Sharma*
- 39y 36d - Mohinder Amarnath
- 38y 329d - Sachin Tendulkar
- 38y 238d - Rahul Dravid
- 38y 118d - Sunil Gavaskar
Why IND vs AFG ODI Series Is Important For Rohit?
It is important to mention that the India vs Afghanistan ODI series is important for Rohit. His participation in the series had remained uncertain due to a hamstring injury suffered during IPL 2026.
The injury forced him to miss several matches for Mumbai Indians, and he was mainly used as an Impact Substitute at the end stages of the tournament.
However, after successfully completing rehabilitation and a fitness Test, Rohit Sharma received medical clearance shortly before the Afghanistan series.
Also Read: Who Has Replaced Virat Kohli In India vs Afghanistan 1st ODI?
Rohit Sharma's Recent ODI Form
Before the IPL 2026, the former Indian captain was not consistent with the bat. In the India vs New Zealand series, he played 3 innings and scored just 61 runs at an average of 20.33.
In the South Africa series, the star player made 146 runs in three innings at an average of 48.67 and a strike rate of 110.61.
So with the ODI World Cup 2027 in focus, all the India’s ODI series will be important for Rohit, with all eyes on his recent form and fitness.
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