India’s selection committee has reportedly decided against resting senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli for the upcoming ODI series against the Afghanistan national cricket team, with the management prioritising match practice and squad continuity ahead of a crucial phase in India’s white-ball transition.

The three-match ODI series, scheduled for June, is expected to play an important role in shaping India’s plans for the future, especially with the 2027 ODI World Cup slowly coming into focus. While there were initial discussions around managing the workload of Rohit and Kohli after another demanding IPL season, chief selector Ajit Agarkar and the panel eventually decided that consistent game time would benefit both veterans more than rest.

With both Rohit and Kohli currently focusing only on ODI cricket at the international level, the selectors reportedly believe regular involvement will help maintain rhythm, fitness and team balance.

WATCH – Jasprit Bumrah Shares Yorker Tips With Kartik Tyagi After MI vs KKR Clash

The Afghanistan series is also being viewed as an opportunity for India’s younger players to spend more time alongside the experienced duo in a competitive environment. The team management wants to strengthen dressing-room chemistry as the national side gradually transitions into its next generation.

The selectors deliberated resting Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the Afghanistan ODI series.

Nobody is an automatic choice for the 2027 ODI World Cup, reports Nitin Srivastava.#INDvsAFG #Crickethttps://t.co/8sMVTWFXTI

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) May 21, 2026

According to reports, the selection committee is also keen to maintain healthy competition within the squad. No player is being viewed as an automatic pick moving forward, with future selection expected to depend heavily on form, fitness and consistency.

India will host Afghanistan for a one-off Test match and a three-game ODI series in June. The Test is scheduled to begin in New Chandigarh on June 6, while the ODI matches will be played in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai between June 14 and June 20.

ALSO READ: Manpreet Singh Throws Yo-Yo Challenge To Virat Kohli and RCB Team

Meanwhile, Kohli recently addressed speculation surrounding his international future during a public interaction. The former India captain admitted he would not want to continue playing in an environment where he constantly feels the need to prove himself, a statement that reignited discussions around the future of India’s senior players ahead of the next ODI World Cup cycle.

India ODI squad for Afghanistan series:

Shubman Gill (C), Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey