Hardik Pandya is all set to play the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan as he has been declared fit by the BCCI’s Center of Excellence (CoE). On the morning of June 6, when Team India is up against Afghanistan for the one-off Test in New Chandigarh, the fitness update of Hardik Pandya has arrived.
Pandya is among the players who are uncertain to take part in the India vs Afghanistan ODI series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India named the pace bowling all-rounder in the squad, but his participation was subject to his fitness status.
Hardik Pandya is fit and fine to face Afghanistan.
During the IPL 2026 campaign, Hardik Pandya missed a few matches for the Mumbai Indians because of a back spasm. Because of the injury setback, he missed multiple matches during the latter half of the tournament. Although he made his return during the Mumbai Indians’ last match of the campaign, his fitness was under concern.
As per the latest updates, the CoE has declared Hardik Pandya fit, and the board has received his clearance certificate as well. Which means, the star all-rounder has no issue to take fields for the national side for the 3-match home One Day International series. Ahead of the 2027 ICC ODI World Cup, Hardik Pandya will be desperate to prove himself after enduring an underwhelming Indian Premier League season in 2026.
Rohit Sharma’s fitness update is yet to come.
Like Pandya, Rohit Sharma’s fitness is also under the scanner. The experienced opener injured his hamstring during the IPL 2026 season and missed a few matches as well. He made his comeback during the campaign, but played mostly as an impact player for the Mumbai Indians.
“The Centre of Excellence has declared Hardik Pandya fit. The team management has received their report. He will play in the ODI series against Afghanistan. He will prove to be an important player for next year’s ODI World Cup. Now, only Rohit Sharma’s fitness report is pending,” Abhishek Tripathi, a Dainik Jagran reporter, informed on today on ‘X’.
सेंट्रल आफ एक्सीलेंस ने हार्दिक पांड्या को फिट घोषित किया। टीम प्रबंधन को उनकी रिपोर्ट मिल गई है। वह अफगानिस्तान के विरुद्ध वनडे सीरीज खेलेंगे। अगले साल होने वाले वन दे विश्व कप के लिए वह महत्वपूर्ण खिलाड़ी साबित होंगे। अब सिर्फ रोहित शर्मा की फिटनेस रिपोर्ट आना बाकी है।…
— Abhishek Tripathi / अभिषेक त्रिपाठी (@abhishereporter) June 6, 2026
Virat Kohli ruled out of the ODI series
Meanwhile, because of a hamstring tear, Virat Kohli, who was about to play in the ODI series, has been ruled out of the contest entirely. As per the latest updates, the batter may require six weeks to recover his fitness. During these six weeks, he will have to do recovery sessions as well.
It is learnt that Virat Kohli picked up the injury during the IPL 2026 final. He might have played the match with an injury. It is reported that he has consulted with a renowned orthopedic regarding his injury issue, and came to know that it would take a substantial amount of time to recover fully. However, no surgery will be needed to heal the injury.
As of now, Virat Kohli is injured, final reports on Rohit Sharma’s fitness are yet to come, and Hardik Pandya is declared fit to play. The three-match ODI series between India and Afghanistan will start on Saturday, June 13.
Like Rohit Sharma, two other star players of India, Varun Chakravarthy and Harshit Rana, are also recovering from separate injury issues. Rana missed the IPL 2026 season entirely because of a ligament strain. He is expected to receive clearance by June 17.
Varun Chakravarthy is also uncertain for the three-match ODI series, as he had a hairline fracture during his stint with the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026.
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