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.
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.
"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.
Following medical assessments, Kohli was advised to rest and focus on rehabilitation rather than risk aggravating the injury.
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.
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.
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.
India have officially named Yashasvi Jaiswal as Kohli's replacement for the Afghanistan ODI.
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.
Whatever combination India choose, Kohli's absence creates an opportunity for younger players to stake their claim.
India's XI with and without Virat Kohli
With Kohli
Rohit Sharma
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul
Nitish Kumar Reddy
Washington Sundar
Prince Yadav/Gurnoor Brar
Kuldeep Yadav
Arshdeep Singh
Prasidh Krishna
India would have preferred entering the Afghanistan series with Kohli available because he has been in outstanding form.
His performances included scores of 124, 93 and 23, demonstrating both consistency and authority at the crease.
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.
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.
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.
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