India vs Afghanistan squad announcement live: Rishabh Pant dropped as Test vice-captain, Rohit Sharma picked in ODI squad

Former captain Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have both been included in the ODI series against Afghanistan, but their inclusion will be subject to fitness clearance, with the duo having picked up injuries during the 2026 Indian Premier League.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed that Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have been included in the ODI squad, subject to fitness clearance ahead of the series.

Ajit Agarkar also clarified that there was no discussion around Mohammed Shami’s inclusion in the squad, stating that the pacer is currently considered fit only for T20 cricket. It now seems clear that the selectors have moved on from Mohd Shami.

“We have been told that, at this point, T20 cricket is what he is ready for, so there was no discussion regarding Mohammed Shami,” Agarkar said during the press conference.

India chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Ravindra Jadeja has been rested for the one-off Test against Afghanistan after the veteran all-rounder was left out of the squad.

“Jadeja has been rested for the Test,” Agarkar said during the squad announcement press conference.
 

The ODI squad is here.

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

The Test squad is here. 

Shubman Gill (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul (VC), Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant,Devdutt Padikkal, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Manav Suthar, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey, Dhruv Jurel.

Looks like the BCCI selection meet is underway right now. 

It will be interesting to see who gets a go for this one-off Test. It is the perfect opportunity to test the reserves, especially in the fast-bowling department. Auqib Nabi is one such name, who will be top on the list. With his exploits in the Ranji Trophy, it will be the big name to watch out for. 

With Rohit Sharma's availability under the scanner, it will be interesting to see if the BCCI give the nod to Yashasvi Jaiswal to play in his place for the series. 

As reported by RevSportz, the fast-bowling unit could see a makeover – albeit a temporary one. Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be rested while Mohammed Siraj could be kept for the ODI series instead. This means that with both pacers out, there could be some changes. Mohammed Shami is reportedly expected to make his return to the red-ball side while Auqib Nabi could also get a maiden call-up as well.

Architect of Jammu and Kashmir's historic Ranji Trophy triumph, Aquib Nabi, is also likely to be a part of the selectors' discussion for the Test team. He took 60 wickets in a stellar campaign.

Prince Yadav, who has impressed with his pace and accuracy in the ongoing IPL, can be tried in the ODI series.

If Bumrah is not part of the side, Mohammed Siraj will be the leader of the attack, with Prasidh Krishna too likely to feature in it.

Virat Kohli has finally broken his silence around the constant speculation over his future in international cricket and the possibility of playing the 2027 ODI World Cup, saying he does not want to be in an environment where he is repeatedly asked to prove his worth despite his commitment and preparation for the game.

Kohli made the remarks during an appearance on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru podcast, where the batting great spoke candidly about his mindset, his relationship with the team. 

“My perspective is very clear. If I can add value to the environment that I am a part of and the environment feels like I can add value, I will be seen. If I am made to feel like I need to prove my worth and my value, I'm not in that space. Because I am being honest to my preparation,” Kohli said.

“I am being honest to how I approach the game. I put my head down. I work hard. I am very thankful to God for giving me everything that I have been given in my cricketing career. And I feel very blessed and grateful for the opportunity. And when I arrive to play, I put my head down.”

A lot of discussion in today's selection meeting will be about workload management. 

The one-off Test starts on June 6, exactly a week after the IPL 2026 final. 

Will India pick a full-strength squad for the one-off Test, which won't be part of the World Test Championship? 

Will India want to push someone like Jasprit Bumrah? 

Expect a full-strength batting group, but India might have a few fresh faces in the Test bowling line-up.

Will Auqib Nabi get a call-up? Yes, he has been up and down in his maiden IPL stint with Delhi Capitals, but he was in fne form with the red ball in Jammu and Kashmir's historic Ranji Trophy campaign. 

We are hearing that the selection meeting will get underway from around 2 pm IST. 

So, we expect the squad to be out before the IPL game between LSG and Rajasthan Royals get underway in Jaipur. 

The squad is likely to be released through a press communication.

Well, Rishabh Pant will be one name that will be intensely discussed when the selectors meet to pick the ODI squad.

Pant has struggled in the IPL 2026 season with the bat. KL Rahul has been India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batter in the one-day format, but there is chatter that Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan are in the race. 

Will he retain his spot in Test cricket? Well, yes. But, will he continue as vice-captain?

Hardik Pandya has been looking in good shape as he prepares for Mumbai Indians's next game againsrt Kolkata Knight Riders.

It's been a tough season for him in terms of batting and captaincy.

But, if he is full fit, the selectors would want to have him in the ODI squad as he will be one of the crucial members of the 2027 ODI World Cup squad. 

Well, Lucknow Super Giants Prince Yadav has made heads turn with his performances this IPL season. Along with Mohammed Shami and Mohsin Khan, the Delhi pacer has set the stage on fire. 

That delivery that bowled Virat Kohli will be remembered for a very long time. 

The chatter is that Prince might get a nod if the selectors decide in favour of resting Jasprit Bumrah for the ODI series. 

The one-off Test and the three ODIs will be India's first assignment after the IPL. They will leave for England for white-ball series in Ireland and England after that. 

Test match schedule

• 1st Test from June 6 to 10 in New Chandigarh

ODI series schedule 

• 1st ODI in Dharamsala - June 14 - 1:30 pm IST
• 2nd ODI in Lucknow - June 17 - 1:30 pm IST
• 3rd ODI in Chennai - June 20 - 1:30 pm IST

There should be no surprises here. 

Shubman Gill will lead both the Test and the ODI teams for the series against Afghanistan.

India will begin a crucial last dash towards the World Test Championship final, but this one-off Test will not be part of the WTC cycle. 

Meanwhile, the ODI series will be the start of India's final stretch of preparation to next year's World Cup. They will play 20-odd matches before the mega tournament, which will be held in South Africa and Zimbabwe next year. 

Rohit Sharma has missed four games in IPL 2026 due to fitness issues. 

He has scored 268 runs in seven matches including two fifties. He has a healthy average of 44.66 and a strike rate of over 160. 

Rohit appears to be not pushing himself too much in this IPL 2026 season, knowing he might have to be fully fit for the ODI series. 

Will the selectors consider him?

India Today has learnt that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to take a final call on the inclusion of both Rohit and Hardik, with fitness concerns continuing to be assessed.

Although sources suggest he is expected to return to play in the coming days, his availability for the Afghanistan series will depend on whether he is able to successfully complete the required fitness assessments.

Hardik remains a vital figure in India’s ODI setup because of the balance he provides as a pace-bowling all-rounder, making his fitness status a key concern for team management.

The selectors would want Hardik Pandya to be available to bowl before they pick the squad. 

Hardik missed MI's last few games due to a back spasm, but he has travelled for their game at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Wednesday, May 20.