India-Afghanistan ODI series : Hardik Pandya reaches Bengaluru for fitness clearance, Rohit Sharma’s status remains unclear

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is closely monitoring the fitness of senior players Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya ahead of India’s upcoming series against Afghanistan. The two-star players have been named in the ODI squad, while their participation remains subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI. The board is expected to take a final call on their participation after assessing their fitness status.

Team India is ready to take on Afghanistan for a single test match on June 6 and three ODI matches which are scheduled on June 13, 17 and 19.

Media reports claimed that Hardik Pandya is set to spend around a week at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru before gelling up with the national squad for the ODI assignment. The board had reportedly instructed both Hardik and Rohit Sharma to report to the facility, although there has been no update regarding the Indian opener’s arrival.

The BCCI has already announced its ODI squad for the Afghanistan series. In this series, Shubman Gill will lead the squad with this deputy Shreyas Iyer.

Alongside Rohit and Hardik, the squad includes Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir pacer Auqib Nabi Dar has been included in the squad as a net bowler ahead of India’s one-off Test against Afghanistan. The Ranaji star pacer’s inclusion has drawn attention after he was overlooked for the main Test squad despite an impressive domestic season. His omission from the national squad had sparked debate among former cricketers and observers.

With taking 60 wickets, the pacer had played a key role in Jammu and Kashmir’s title-winning campaign.