Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 20: India star batter Virat Kohli is expected to undergo a fitness assessment at the BCCI's Centre of Excellence (CoE) before the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee finalises the squad for India's upcoming ODI series against England next month.

The three-match ODI series will be played between July 14 and 19, with matches scheduled in Birmingham, Cardiff and Lord's. The national selectors are expected to meet in the coming week to pick the squad.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar was recently in Sri Lanka to monitor the performance of the India A team participating in a 50-over tri-series.

Kohli missed the ongoing ODI series against Afghanistan after suffering a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad, where he played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 75 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Since then, the former India captain has been undergoing rehabilitation while staying in London.

According to sources, Kohli is expected to report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence soon after attending the first-ever global premiere event of his One8 brand at Yashobhoomi in New Delhi on Sunday.

If he successfully clears the fitness assessment, he is likely to be included in the squad for the England ODI series.

Meanwhile, all-rounder Hardik Pandya has resumed light training at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru as he continues his recovery from a leg injury that kept him out of the Afghanistan ODI series.

Pandya had been undergoing rehabilitation at the facility since June 2 after a back niggle caused him to miss a couple of matches for Mumbai Indians during IPL 2026.

Sources said the all-rounder resumed light training four to five days ago following a week-long break. His workload is expected to increase gradually over the next two days.

The Centre of Excellence medical team will submit a fitness report to the BCCI, after which the selectors will decide whether he is ready for the England tour.

The final decision, however, will depend on both the selection committee and team management, who must determine whether Pandya should travel to England immediately or continue building match fitness before returning to ODI action.

India's squad announcement for the England series is expected in the coming days, with the fitness status of both Kohli and Pandya likely to play a key role in the selectors' final decisions.