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India's preparations for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan have suffered a major setback, as Virat Kohli has reportedly been advised to take at least two weeks of complete rest due to his hamstring injury.
Kohli is currently recovering from the hamstring injury after sustaining during the IPL 2026. He enjoyed a fantastic IPL 2026 season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Virat Kohli dominated IPL 2026 before the injury setback
The RCB icon scored 675 runs in 16 matches at an impressive average of 56.25 and outstanding strike rate of 165.85. Virat Kohli finished the IPL 2026 as the fourth-highest run-scorer.
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He smashed one century and five half-centuries, hitting 73 boundaries and 25 sixes this season, and played a big role in RCB's successful title defense. Royal Challengers Bengaluru crushed Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2026 final to clinch back-to-back titles.
However, Kohli reportedly felt some discomfort and required medical attention during the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad. Although the dashing right-hander continued batting without showing any major problems, later the scans revealed a hamstring injury.
Virat Kohli set for extended break after hamstring injury
The injury has now become a concern for the India national cricket team management and selectors, especially with important ODI series coming up. However, Kohli is expected to regain fitness later this month but unlikely to return to action until the England tour in July 2026.
The Indian Express suggested that there is a possibility that the dashing right-hander could regain match fitness in time for the third and final ODI against Afghanistan on June 20 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
But the national selectors are not willing to take any risks with one of India's biggest match-winners. Actually, India has a packed ODI schedule coming up, as they are set to visit England in July for the a three-match ODI series right after the Afghanistan series.
And that's why the team management focuses on his long-term fitness rather than rushing Virat Kohli back into action. Now, the star players like Devdutt Padikkal, Tilak Varma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson and Rajat Patidar are all being considered at as possible replacements.
How serious can a hamstring injury be?
A hamstring injury can keep a player out of action for a long time depending on how serious it is. That is why teams and medical staff avoid taking any risks in such types of injuries.
A mild hamstring strain is usually the least serious. In this case, only a small part of the muscle is affected, and a player can recover within a few days or a couple of weeks with proper rest and treatment. Things become more challenging if the injury is moderate.
A partial muscle tear can take several weeks to heal, and players often need rehabilitation and fitness work before they are ready to return to action. But when it is a muscle tear, it can keep a player out for months and may even require surgery. Recovery in these situations take much time.
One of the biggest concerns with hamstring injuries is the risk of making them worse. If a player returns before the muscle has fully healed, the injury can become worse. And that’s why the Indian medical team is likely to take a safer way and ask Kohli to complete fitness tests and rehabilitation programs before getting the green signal to play again.
