Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma to Join Team India on June 9

The Indian cricket team is preparing for a transition from the high intensity Indian Premier League to international duties as they gear up for a multi format series against Afghanistan. Following the conclusion of the IPL, the focus has shifted to the national side, which is set to take the field shortly. The series will commence with a solitary Test match starting June 6 in New Chandigarh, followed by a highly anticipated three match One Day International series beginning June 13. In a significant update for fans and the team alike, senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have been summoned to join the squad in New Chandigarh on June 9 to initiate their specific preparations for the white ball leg of the tour.

Strategic Training and Schedule

The preparation plan for the ODI squad is meticulously structured to ensure the players are match ready, while while the Test match is scheduled to take place from June 6 to June 10, the training camp for the ODI specialists and returning senior players will overlap with the final days of the Test. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shreyas Iyer are expected to reach New Chandigarh by June 9. The training sessions are slated to run from June 9 to June 11, providing a three day window for the players to find their rhythm. After the conclusion of this brief but intensive camp, the entire contingent will travel to Dharamshala, which is the venue for the opening match of the ODI series.

Managing Player Workload and Weather Challenges

The Indian support staff has devised a specialized strategy to manage the transition for players who are part of both the Test and ODI squads. One of the primary concerns for the management is the extreme weather conditions currently prevailing in New Chandigarh. With temperatures soaring above 40 degrees, the heat poses a significant physical challenge, particularly for the bowling department. To mitigate the risk of exhaustion and injury, the team has enlisted the services of 5 to 6 dedicated net bowlers. This group includes Akib Nabi, Zeeshan Ansari, Saransh Jain, Shivang Kumar, and Mayank Yadav, who will be responsible for providing high quality practice to the Indian batsmen during the sweltering afternoon sessions.

Focus on Key Players and IPL Performance

All eyes will be on the veteran duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rohit Sharma is currently undergoing a fitness assessment and recovery program at the Center of Excellence in Bengaluru. His participation in the ODI series is contingent upon him attaining full fitness. On the other hand, Virat Kohli enters the series in peak physical condition and exceptional form. Kohli was the standout performer in IPL 2026, where he amassed 675 runs across 16 innings. His prolific run scoring played a pivotal role in leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their second consecutive IPL title. A strong performance in this series against Afghanistan will further solidify his position as a key pillar for the 2027 World Cup campaign.

Series Itinerary and Squad Details

The ODI series will be played across three different venues to provide diverse conditions, while the first ODI is scheduled for June 13 in Dharamshala, followed by the second ODI on June 17 in Lucknow. The series will conclude with the third and final ODI on June 20 in Chennai. The Indian squad for this series features a blend of experience and youth, including Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Washington Sundar, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Harsh Dubey.