Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the ODI series against Afghanistan national cricket team. The decision came after he suffered a hamstring injury. The news was confirmed through a PTI report.
The three-match series will start on June 13 in Dharamsala. Kohli will miss the entire series due to fitness concerns. A BCCI source said he is not fit to play.
This setback comes soon after a strong IPL season. Kohli had a great run in IPL 2026. He also finished it by scoring the winning runs in the final. His form was one of the highlights of the tournament.
There is also doubt around Rohit Sharma for the same series. His participation depends on fitness checks. The team management is still waiting for updates.
Virat Kohli has often spoken about adapting his game over time. He focuses on reading situations better. He also stresses building different ways to score runs. He believes preparation helps him stay consistent at the top level.
The injury is a concern for India ahead of the series. Kohli remains one of their key batters in all formats. His absence will be felt in the middle order.
5 Players Who Can Replace Virat Kohli In India Squad
Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the ODI series against Afghanistan. The injury is a hamstring problem picked up during IPL 2026. India now need a replacement for the top order.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is seen as the strongest option. He has already played ODIs for India. He also scored a century against South Africa earlier. Selectors like his calm batting style.
Yashasvi Jaiswal is another big name in the frame. He brings aggressive batting at the top. He also has a strong ODI average so far. His left-handed style adds balance to the team.
Rajat Patidar is also in the discussion. He recently led Royal Challengers Bangalore to success in IPL 2026. He has middle-order stability and good form. His IPL performances have pushed his case.
Devdutt Padikkal is another option from domestic cricket. He has scored heavily in List A games. His recent run in domestic tournaments has been very strong. Selectors may reward his consistency.
Tilak Varma is also in contention. He already plays in India’s T20I team. He has experience under pressure in international matches. He can handle the middle order role if needed.
India will choose based on form and balance. Virat Kohli’s absence leaves a big gap at the top. The series will test new options ahead of future tournaments.
Afghanistan to Tour India for One Test and Three ODIs in June
Afghanistan will tour India in June for a short series. It will include one Test match and three ODIs. Both teams are also building for the next World Cup.
The Test will start on June 6 in New Chandigarh. This will be only the second Test between the two teams. Afghanistan last played a Test against Zimbabwe in Harare. That match ended in a heavy defeat for Afghanistan.
After the Test, both teams will play three ODIs. The first ODI will be on June 14 in Dharamsala. The second ODI will be on June 17 in Lucknow. The final ODI will be on June 20 in Chennai.
FAQs
Q. Why has Virat Kohli been ruled out of the Afghanistan ODI series?
A. Kohli has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury.
Q. When does the ODI series against Afghanistan start?
A. The three-match ODI series starts on June 13 in Dharamsala.
Q. Will Rohit Sharma play in the ODI series?
A. His participation depends on fitness updates and final checks.
Q. How important is Kohli’s absence for India?
A. It is a big setback as he is a key middle-order batter for the team.
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