India, June 13 -- Rohit Sharma's match fitness will be tested, but India's team management would also closely monitor Nitish Kumar Reddy's performance as a back-up for injury-prone Hardik Pandya when they formally begin their 2027 World Cup preparations with the first-ever ODI series against Afghanistan here on Saturday.

Having nursed a hamstring niggle during the IPL, Rohit has managed to regain full fitness just in time for the three games against Afghanistan, while top draw Virat Kohli will miss the series due to a rare hamstring injury. As India plans for the World Cup in South Africa in October-November 2027, there are doubts over whether the 39-year-old Rohit can last till the ODI showpiece.

India is scheduled to play 25-odd ODIs ...