Virat Kohli To Undergo Fitness Test for IND vs ENG ODIs; Hardik Pandya Ruled Out: Report
Star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been ruled out of India's July ODI series against England due to a quadriceps injury. Meanwhile, veteran batsman Virat Kohli will undergo a crucial fitness test at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru on June 22 after recovering from a hamstring issue. India, ranked world No.
The Indian cricket team is grappling with significant personnel challenges ahead of their highly anticipated One Day International series against England in July, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya officially ruled out and veteran batsman Virat Kohli facing a crucial fitness assessment. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed today that Pandya, a pivotal figure in India's white-ball setup, will not be available for the series as he continues to recover from a quadriceps injury. You can find India National Cricket Team vs Afghanistan National Cricket Team Match Scorecard here.
Hardik Pandya's Absence a Major Blow
Hardik Pandya, who turned 32 in October last year, has been a cornerstone of India's limited-overs success with his explosive batting and handy medium-pace bowling. His absence due to a quadriceps issue will undoubtedly create a void in the team's balance, requiring the selectors to adjust their strategies for the challenging English opposition. The specifics of his recovery timeline for the 50-over format indicate a more prolonged rehabilitation process than initially hoped, forcing him out of the immediate international assignments.
Virat Kohli's Hamstring and CoE Test
Meanwhile, all eyes will be on Bengaluru on June 22 as Virat Kohli, aged 37, undergoes a rigorous fitness test at the state-of-the-art Centre of Excellence (CoE) to ascertain his readiness for the England ODIs. Kohli has been recovering from a hamstring issue, and his participation hinges entirely on clearing this fitness hurdle. The CoE, which became fully operational in early 2025 at its new facility near Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, is the primary rehabilitation and assessment hub for India's elite cricketers.
Sources close to the team management suggest that while Kohli is keen to return, the medical staff will not rush his comeback, prioritising his long-term fitness. His experience and prolific run-scoring ability would be a significant boost for India, especially against a competitive side like England.
India vs England: A Fierce Rivalry
While specific dates and venues for the July ODI series are yet to be officially announced, the contests between India and England are always highly anticipated. Historically, India holds an edge in One Day Internationals, having won 61 of the 110 matches played against England, who have secured 44 victories, with 3 ending in no result and 2 tied. IND vs AFG, 3rd ODI 2026 Toss Report and Playing XIs Live Update: Afghanistan Opt To Bat; India Make 3 Changes.
Recent form suggests a strong Indian side, currently ranked No. 1 in the ICC Men's ODI Team Rankings with 118 points as of June 2026. England, on the other hand, is currently placed 8th in the rankings. Their last encounter in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup saw India register a commanding 100-run victory, further highlighting India's recent dominance in the format.
The upcoming series promises to be an engaging battle, with India aiming to maintain its top ranking despite the injury setbacks, and England looking to improve its ODI standing. The final squad announcement for the July series is eagerly awaited, with the outcome of Kohli's fitness test being a critical factor. Fans can anticipate an exciting series as India looks to maintain its dominance despite the injury challenges.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 20, 2026 02:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
