Bengaluru – India ODI captain Rohit Sharma has cleared his pre-season fitness test at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE), paving the way for his return to international cricket during the upcoming Australia tour in October. This marks his first assignment since stepping away from Test cricket earlier this year.
Rohit Sharma’s Comeback Trail
Rohit, who has not played since the 2025 IPL season, underwent standard Yo-Yo and DXA scans (bone density tests) on Sunday and passed the parameters comfortably. According to reports, the veteran opener is likely to feature in India A’s three-match series against Australia A in Kanpur (September 30, October 3, and 5) as preparation before the ODI series.
The 38-year-old announced his retirement from Test cricket midway through the IPL season, fueling speculation about his international future. While BCCI confirmed he would continue as ODI captain, media reports hinted that the upcoming Australia tour could be his final 50-over assignment before focusing more on domestic cricket in the lead-up to the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Gill and Bumrah Cleared for Asia Cup
India’s Test captain Shubman Gill has also been declared fit ahead of the Asia Cup, where he will serve as vice-captain. Gill had recently skipped the Duleep Trophy due to illness but is now cleared to return.
Jasprit Bumrah and Jitesh Sharma also passed their fitness tests, ensuring their readiness for the continental event starting September 9 in the UAE.
Wider Squad Fitness Update
Alongside Rohit, Gill, and Bumrah, several other players successfully cleared their tests at the CoE, including:
- Mohammed Siraj
- Yashasvi Jaiswal (standby)
- Washington Sundar (standby)
- Shardul Thakur (set to lead West Zone in the Duleep Trophy semifinal)
Meanwhile, Asia Cup squad members Arshdeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, and standby player Riyan Parag – all of whom featured in the Duleep Trophy quarterfinals – will undergo a separate fitness assessment.
What’s Next
Rohit is expected to remain in Bengaluru for a few more days of training before final confirmation of his selection for the Australia tour. His return, alongside in-form youngsters and a fit Bumrah, provides a timely boost to India’s preparations ahead of a packed international calendar.
Source: Hindustan Times Sports Desk
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