India’s ODI series against Afghanistan is set to begin with a major milestone for veteran batter Rohit Sharma. The experienced opener has cleared his fitness test and is expected to feature in the first ODI at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on June 13.
The three-match series follows India’s dominant performance in the one-off Test, where they defeated Afghanistan by an innings and 300 runs in Mullanpur.
Now, all eyes are on Rohit as he prepares to make history.
Rohit Sharma Set to Break Long-Standing Indian Record
By taking the field against Afghanistan, Rohit Sharma will become the oldest Indian cricketer to play an ODI match.
The record has stood for nearly 37 years and currently belongs to former India all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath.
Amarnath was 39 years and 36 days old when he played his final ODI against the West Indies at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium on October 30, 1989.
Rohit, meanwhile, will be 39 years and 44 days old when he appears in the series opener, allowing him to surpass the legendary cricketer’s mark.
Fitness Boost Ahead of Important Season
The former India captain recently recovered from a hamstring injury suffered during IPL 2026.
His successful fitness test comes as a major boost for India ahead of a packed international calendar.
Moreover, Rohit’s experience remains invaluable for the team. The veteran opener has scored more than 11,000 ODI runs and over 20,000 international runs during a remarkable career spanning nearly two decades.
His return gives India additional stability at the top of the batting order.
Another Historic Record Within Reach
The Afghanistan series could also present Rohit with another milestone.
If he manages to score a century during the three-match series, he will become the oldest Indian batter to register an ODI hundred.
That record is currently held by Sachin Tendulkar.
Tendulkar was 38 years and 327 days old when he scored his 49th ODI century against Bangladesh in Mirpur on March 16, 2012.
Given Rohit’s strong record in the format, many fans will be watching closely to see if he can add another achievement to his already glittering career.
World’s Oldest ODI Players
While Rohit is set to become India’s oldest ODI player, the overall world record remains far away.
The oldest cricketer to appear in an ODI is Nolan Clarke of the Netherlands, who played at the age of 47 years and 257 days against South Africa in 1996.
He is followed by Zimbabwe’s John Traicos and England’s Norman Gifford, both of whom continued playing international cricket well into their 40s.
India Aim for Strong Start Against Afghanistan
The ODI series will be Afghanistan’s first bilateral ODI assignment against India.
The opening match will take place in Dharamsala, while the remaining fixtures are scheduled for Lucknow on June 17 and Chennai on June 20.
Led by Hashmatullah Shahidi, Afghanistan will look to bounce back after their heavy Test defeat.
However, India’s focus will be on continuing their winning momentum while celebrating another landmark moment in Rohit Sharma’s illustrious career.