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Virat Kohli ruled out Afghanistan ODI 2026 has emerged as a major setback for India ahead of the three-match ODI series beginning on June 13. The former India captain has been withdrawn from the squad after suffering a hamstring injury during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL 2026 final triumph.
Chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar confirmed Virat Kohli's absence, while Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as his replacement. The development is significant as India continue shaping their ODI plans for the 2027 World Cup.
Why Virat Kohli is not playing in Afghanistan ODIs – official reason
The official reason behind Virat Kohli's withdrawal from the Afghanistan ODI series is a hamstring injury sustained during the IPL 2026 final.
Virat Kohli suffered the injury during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title-winning campaign. While RCB went on to lift the trophy, the injury ruled the batting star out of India's next ODI assignment.
India chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar confirmed the development while announcing the squad for the Afghanistan series. Agarkar made it clear that the medical team is still assessing Kohli's recovery and there is currently no confirmed timeline for his return.
"With Virat at this point, it's just been less than a week since he injured himself in the IPL finals. We don't know the timelines yet," Agarkar said.
"But it looks like he might be fit for that England one-day series. It's not a definitive answer, so don't hold me to it. I haven't had a clear timeline from the physio yet."
Following medical assessments, Kohli was advised to rest and focus on rehabilitation rather than risk aggravating the injury.
India's management has taken a cautious approach given Kohli's importance to the ODI setup. Since he now plays only ODI cricket for India after retiring from both Tests and T20Is, there is little benefit in rushing him back before he is fully fit.
With a busy ODI calendar ahead and the 2027 World Cup gradually approaching, preserving Kohli's fitness has become a priority.
When is Virat Kohli's next match? Latest return date update
According to reports, Kohli is recovering well and responding positively to treatment following the hamstring injury. While the BCCI has not yet issued formal fitness clearance, the England series is currently viewed as the most realistic target for his comeback.
The positive signs from his rehabilitation will come as a major relief for Indian cricket fans.
Kohli's absence against Afghanistan is undoubtedly a blow, but India are expected to have him available for a much bigger challenge against England if his recovery continues as planned.
The timing is important because ODI cricket has become Kohli's sole international focus. After stepping away from T20Is and Test cricket, every ODI series now carries additional significance for the veteran batter.
His availability will be particularly important as India continue building towards the 2027 ODI World Cup. The management wants its senior players fit and available while also testing combinations around them.
At this stage, however, the England series remains a target rather than a confirmed return date. Kohli will need to complete his recovery and satisfy the medical staff before receiving the green light.
Who replaces Virat Kohli in India's ODI squad against Afghanistan?
India have officially named Yashasvi Jaiswal as Kohli's replacement for the Afghanistan ODI.
The left-handed batter has made a promising start to his ODI career since debuting against England in February 2025. Although he has played only four matches in the format so far, he has already shown his potential at the international level.
His standout performance came against South Africa in Visakhapatnam in December 2025, where he smashed an unbeaten 116. That innings remains his most significant ODI contribution and highlighted why selectors continue to invest in him.
Jaiswal's inclusion creates interesting batting-order possibilities for India. With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill expected to open, India are likely to use either Jaiswal or Ishan Kishan at No. 3 as Kohli's replacement while keeping Shreyas Iyer in his established middle-order role. The management is unlikely to alter Iyer's position simply to cover Kohli's absence.
Whatever combination India choose, Kohli's absence creates an opportunity for younger players to stake their claim.
The Afghanistan series may not carry the same pressure as a major ICC tournament, but it gives India valuable information about their batting depth ahead of future assignments.
India's XI with and without Virat Kohli
With Kohli | Without Kohli |
Rohit Sharma | Rohit Sharma |
Shubman Gill | Shubman Gill |
Virat Kohli | Yashasvi Jaiswal / Ishan Kishan |
Shreyas Iyer | Shreyas Iyer |
KL Rahul | KL Rahul |
Nitish Kumar Reddy | Nitish Kumar Reddy |
Washington Sundar | Washington Sundar |
Prince Yadav/Gurnoor Brar | Prince Yadav/Gurnoor Brar |
Kuldeep Yadav | Kuldeep Yadav |
Arshdeep Singh | Arshdeep Singh |
Prasidh Krishna | Prasidh Krishna |
Virat Kohli's ODI form in 2025-26 and why his absence matters
India would have preferred entering the Afghanistan series with Kohli available because he has been in outstanding form.
His most recent ODI appearance came during India's home series against New Zealand earlier this year. Despite India losing the series 2-1, Kohli finished as their leading run-scorer with 240 runs at an average of 80 and a strike rate of 105.26.
His performances included scores of 124, 93 and 23, demonstrating both consistency and authority at the crease.
Looking at his last 10 ODI innings, Kohli's numbers become even more impressive. He registered three centuries, one fifty and two unbeaten knocks while continuing to anchor India's batting lineup.
That form carried directly into IPL 2026
Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kohli scored 675 runs in 16 innings at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84. He finished with one century and five half-centuries while playing a major role in RCB's successful title campaign.
Those numbers explain why India would have preferred having him available against Afghanistan.
His presence brings stability, experience and the ability to control an innings in pressure situations. At the same time, his absence provides India with an opportunity to test alternatives and evaluate younger batters who could become important members of the India ODI World Cup 2027 squad.
Virat Kohli ruled out of Afghanistan ODI 2026 is undoubtedly disappointing news for India, but it may also help selectors gather useful information about their bench strength.
Kohli will miss the Afghanistan series because of the hamstring injury suffered during the IPL final, while Yashasvi Jaiswal has been drafted in as his replacement. The England ODI series beginning on July 14 remains the most likely target for his return, subject to fitness clearance. Until then, India have a valuable chance to assess batting combinations and build depth as preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup continue.
