Will Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya play against England? Latest injury updates on India stars ahead of crucial white-ball series

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Will Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya play against England? Latest injury updates on India stars ahead of crucial white-ball series originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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  • Virat Kohli set for UK fitness test ahead of England vs India ODI series.
  • Hardik Pandya likely out, Rohit Sharma expected to retain his spot.
  • BCCI keeps 2027 World Cup roadmap discussions strictly behind closed doors.

Virat Kohli's fitness test set to decide England fate, Hardik Pandya virtually ruled out

Virat Kohli is reportedly heading for a crucial fitness check in the United Kingdom this Friday, with the results likely to settle whether he features in India's upcoming ODI series against England, as per a report carried by NDTV.

The star batter sat out the ongoing matches against Afghanistan due to a hamstring problem, though his recovery is said to be moving along nicely.

It is a right hamstring issue along with an uncommon tear to the distal semimembranosus tendon. Kohli picked up the problem during the IPL 2026 final and has since been working through rehabilitation under the watch of BCCI medical staff in London.

However, Hardik Pandya appears set to miss out on India's England tour altogether. Despite being named in the ODI line-up for the Afghanistan series on the condition that he passed fitness checks, current signs point towards his exclusion from the England assignment.

On the other hand, Rohit Sharma is tipped to keep his place for the England ODIs after playing all three matches against Afghanistan without issue, putting to rest any lingering doubts over his fitness.

MORE: Inside Kohli’s injury rehab: How the India star is fast-tracking his return

2027 World Cup plans stir constant speculation about Rohit & Virat

Rohit's road ahead in the 50-over format, along with his readiness for the 2027 World Cup, has turned into a hot topic ever since he and Kohli both walked away from Test cricket last year. 

However, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia has made clear that any internal talk about India's 2027 World Cup blueprint is not meant for public consumption. 

Rohit and Kohli remain the names most discussed whenever the conversation turns to India's plans for the global event, but Saikia insists that such "strategic discussions in the board room" should stay exactly there.

While both veterans are reportedly keen to be part of the tournament, selection chief Ajit Agarkar and head coach Gautam Gambhir have so far avoided committing either way on whether the duo will find room in the squad.

"We have a very well-knit team and a lot of experts. All stakeholders are taken on board," Saikia told PTI.

"Whatever decisions that are made involve the cricket committee, the selectors and all other stakeholders, including the support staff, the head coach and the players concerned.

"There are regular conversations taking place. For that reason, we do not need any special session of interaction. This is an ongoing process."

MORE: Shreyas Iyer reveals he is supporting Brazil at FIFA World Cup 2026

Saikia firmly added that he wouldn't be revealing any boardroom details to the media, maintaining that such strategic matters are meant to stay within internal circles.

"I do not think I should disclose anything before the media or the public because these are strategic discussions. I am not authorised to speak about them before the media. Secondly, these are matters that should remain within the boardroom," he concluded. 

India predicted ODI squad for England tour 2026

  • Shubman Gill (c)
  • Shreyas Iyer (vc)
  • Virat Kohli
  • Yashasvi Jaiswal
  • KL Rahul (wk)
  • Rishabh Pant (wk)
  • Sai Sudharsan
  • Nitish Reddy
  • Axar Patel
  • Washington Sundar
  • Ravindra Jadeja
  • Kuldeep Yadav
  • Prasidh Krishna
  • Arshdeep Singh
  • Harshit Rana
  • Jasprit Bumrah

England vs India 2026 schedule

India's white-ball tour of England, beginning with the first of the five T20Is at Durham on July 1, and concluding with the third ODI at Lord's on July 19.

DateMatchVenueJuly 1, 20261st T20IRiverside Ground, Chester-le-Street (Durham)July 4, 20262nd T20IEmirates Old Trafford, ManchesterJuly 7, 20263rd T20ITrent Bridge, NottinghamJuly 9, 20264th T20ICounty Ground (Seat Unique Stadium), BristolJuly 11, 20265th T20IThe Rose Bowl (Utilita Bowl), SouthamptonJuly 14, 20261st ODIEdgbaston, BirminghamJuly 16, 20262nd ODISophia Gardens, CardiffJuly 19, 20263rd ODILord's, London

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