IND vs AFG ODI: Kohli out of Afghanistan series, know who replaced him and will he return by then?

By Samira Vishwas On Jun 7, 2026

IND vs AFG ODI: India suffered a big setback before the ODI series against Afghanistan. Former captain Virat Kohli was ruled out of the three-match series due to a hamstring injury. In his place, young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was included in the Indian team.

Kohli suffered this injury during the final of IPL 2026 last month. He was part of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s campaign to become champions for the second consecutive time. He could not be fully fit after the injury, due to which the selectors decided to rest him from the Afghanistan series.

Selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar confirmed Kohli’s absence during the team announcement in Mumbai. He told that at present the medical team has not given any fixed time frame for his return, but it is expected that he will be fit till the ODI series against England in July.

Agarkar said, ‘Not even a week has passed since Virat got injured. We don’t have any clear update from the physio. However, it seems that he may make a comeback till the ODI series against England.

Kohli was in great form
Kohli now plays only ODI cricket for India. He has already retired from Test and T20 international cricket. His last ODI series was against New Zealand in January 2026. Even though India lost that series 2-1, Kohli scored the highest runs for the team with 240 runs. During this period his average was 80 and strike rate was 105.26.

He continued the same rhythm of the New Zealand series in IPL 2026 as well. Kohli scored 675 runs in the entire season. His average was 56.25 and strike rate was 165.84, which is also the best strike rate of his IPL career.

Yashasvi got a big opportunity
Yashasvi Jaiswal has got a chance in Kohli’s absence. Yashasvi made his ODI debut against England in February 2025. Till now he has played four ODI matches. His last ODI was against South Africa in December 2025, in which he played a brilliant inning of 116 not out.

The first match of the ODI series between India and Afghanistan will be played on June 13 in Dharamshala. The second match will be held on June 17 in Lucknow and the third match will be held on June 20 in Chennai. The ODI team for the England tour will be selected after this series.