A senior India player reportedly retained his place in the ODI squad after a late decision following the recent series against Afghanistan at home. The BCCI recently announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, which is set to begin in Birmingham on July 14.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is excluded from the squad for the England tour. The left-handed batter was left out despite scoring an unbeaten century in the third and final ODI against Afghanistan in Chennai, less than a day before the squad announcement. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are specialist openers in the squad.
Senior India Cricketer’s ODI Future Changed at the Last Moment
Journalist Abhishek Tripathi revealed that the Indian team management had expected a senior player to step away from the ODI setup after the Afghanistan series. He added that the possibility would have opened the door for Yashasvi Jaiswal to secure a place in India’s squad for the England tour.
“One thing I would like to say is that there was every possibility that after the Afghanistan series, one player would have had to leave, or would have stepped away on his own.
If that player had departed, Yashasvi Jaiswal would have been in the team. But then something suddenly happened, and that player did not leave. As a result, Yashasvi now has to wait for his opportunity,” Abhishek Tripathi said.
After the Afghanistan series, a player was set to be dropped or was going to retire. (Abhishek Tripathi) https://t.co/yr5W5dz0MA pic.twitter.com/YjKFsGaRCE
— Jaiswal fanclub ❤️ (@navshar54008403) June 23, 2026
Was the Journalist Hinting at Rohit Sharma’s Exit?
Tripathi’s comments led to speculation that the player in question could have been Rohit Sharma. Since Yashasvi Jaiswal is an opening batter, the suggestion that a senior player leaving would have created a spot for him prompted discussions about India’s current opening combination and Rohit’s ODI future.
The former India captain has faced questions about his fitness and long-term plans ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup. However, Rohit showed impressive form in the recent ODI series against Afghanistan, scoring 48 and 79 in the final two matches.
India’s three-match ODI series in England will be an important test for Rohit. Consistent performances could boost his chances of remaining in India’s plans for the 2027 World Cup. The opener scored 1,428 runs in 27 ODIs in England at an average of 64.90, including seven centuries and seven fifties.
Yashasvi Jaiswal Dropped from India Squad for England ODIs
The selectors left Yashasvi Jaiswal out of India’s squad for the upcoming ODI series against England. Jaiswal had joined the squad for the home series as a replacement for Virat Kohli, who was recovering from a hamstring injury.
With Kohli returning to the 15-member squad after regaining fitness, Jaiswal lost his place in the team. During the Afghanistan series, Shubman Gill moved down the order to allow the left-handed batter to open the innings.
Jaiswal has scored 285 runs in six matches at an average of 71.25 and a strike rate of 97.60. He also became the fastest Indian to score two ODI centuries, reaching the milestone in just six innings and surpassing Shikhar Dhawan’s record.
India and England will begin their three-match ODI series at Edgbaston in Birmingham on July 14. The second ODI will be played in Cardiff on July 16, while the final match of the series is scheduled for July 19 in London.