India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotick said on Monday that he had not confirmed whether Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya had passed their fitness tests ahead of the ODI series against Afghanistan, but said he had heard that both players were doing well.Rohit and Hardik have been included in the Indian squad for the three-match ODI series, subject to clearance from a fitness test at the Center of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru. Hardik is recovering from a back problem, while Rohit suffered a hamstring injury during the IPL. Both players missed several matches during the tournament.“I honestly don’t know if they’ve been cleared, but I’m sure they’ll be there. From what I have heard, they are fine, but they, they have to go and do a fitness test or whatever the rule is,” Kotick said when asked about the fitness status of the duo.Kotick also outlined India’s preparations for the ODI series. He said the ODI squad will assemble on Monday and Tuesday before the training session under lights on Wednesday. The team is scheduled to leave for Dharamsala on Thursday.“But the ODI players will be involved, they will be involved here, and after the day after tomorrow evening, there may be a light practice. So there may be a light practice session,” Kotick added.The update comes as India complete their only Test against Afghanistan in Milanpore within three days.After declaring on 564/8 in the first innings, India bowled out Afghanistan for 152 to enforce the follow-on. The visitors were then bowled out for 112 in their second innings as India cruised to their biggest victory in Test cricket history by an innings and 300 runs.Debutant left-arm spinner Manav Sothar took figures of 6/33 in Afghanistan’s first innings, while Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav took seven wickets in the second innings.
