Veteran Indian opener Rohit Sharma is set to create history when he takes the field in the first ODI against Afghanistan, marking a significant milestone in his long international career. The match is scheduled to be played on June 13, 2026, at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala as part of a three-match series.
With this appearance, Rohit Sharma is set to become the oldest Indian cricketer to play an ODI match, surpassing the long-standing record held by former all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath. At 39 years and 44 days, Rohit will move ahead of Amarnath’s record of 39 years and 36 days, highlighting his longevity and continued importance in India’s white-ball setup.
Rohit’s participation comes after concerns over his fitness following a hamstring niggle during the IPL season. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team has cleared him to play, allowing him to return to action just in time for the series. His availability is expected to strengthen India’s top order significantly.
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India enter the series with a focus on long-term planning as they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup. With senior batter Virat Kohli absent due to injury, the team management is using this series to test combinations and assess squad depth under captain Shubman Gill, who is leading the side as part of a transition phase.
The opening ODI is also seen as an opportunity for India to experiment with batting positions, particularly in the top order, while balancing experienced players with emerging talent. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan are in contention to fill key roles in Kohli’s absence, giving the team flexibility in its lineup.
Afghanistan, led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, will aim to challenge India with a strong spin attack and a balanced squad featuring experienced names like Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi. The series opener is expected to provide competitive cricket, with India looking to assert dominance at home while Afghanistan target a historic breakthrough victory.
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