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Captain Shubman Gill and the India national cricket team management are all set to face a major selection headache ahead of the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will reportedly miss the upcoming ODI series, and selectors are exploring the other options.
After IPL 2026, India will resume their international duty with the upcoming bilateral series against Afghanistan at home. They will face Afghanistan in a one-off Test from June 6 in New Chandigarh, followed by the three-match ODI series, starting on June 13 in Dharamshala.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma set to miss Afghanistan ODIs
As reported by Times of India, Virat Kohli is expected to miss the three-match ODI series because of a hamstring injury that he sustained during the IPL 2026. The former Indian captain is still recovering, and there is no clarity over when he will be ready to return to the action.
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The report suggested that Virat Kohli is holidaying in Europe with his family after helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to lift the IPL 2026 trophy. The dashing right-handed batter was in incredible form and amassed 675 runs at an average of 56.25 and at a career-high strike rate of over 165.
Kohli hit one century and five half-centuries during the tournament. However, the RCB icon felt discomfort in the right hamstring while batting in the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. Even he had the injured area heavily strapped before continuing his innings.
India await crucial fitness update on Rohit Sharma
On the other hand, there is still a question mark over whether Rohit Sharma will be available for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. The senior opener is yet to report to the BCCI's Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, where he needs to undergo fitness tests.
The former Indian captain was named in the ODI squad, but he needs the final approval from the medical team to take part in the Afghanistan series. Since he is yet to reach the BCCI COE in Bengaluru, the selectors and team management are still waiting for clarity on his condition.
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, and Tilak Varma in race for India Call-Up
This situation forced the Indian selectors to think about bringing in fresh faces into the ODI setup. It is being said that Yashasvi Jaiswal is one of the strongest options to take that opener’s spot. There are also other names in the mix. Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, and Tilak Varma could all come into consideration if both Kohli and Rohit miss the Afghanistan ODIs.
The selectors want complete clarity on the fitness of their senior players before making any final decisions. They are set to meet on June 6, where they will make the final call on Kohli and Rohit’s availability for the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, as they are set to pick squads for the upcoming Ireland and England tour.
But the TOI report strongly hinted that the selectors are likely to pick Kohli and Rohit’s replacement from among Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, and Tilak Varma not only for the Afghanistan series but possibly also for the England tour.
