team india A major blow has reportedly been dealt against him ahead of the upcoming ODI series afghanistanwith senior batsman Virat Kohli He was ruled out of the three-match series due to a hamstring injury. The series is scheduled to begin on June 13, and Kohli’s absence could significantly impact India’s preparations as they continue to prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Virat Kohli will be out of Afghanistan ODI phase
According to PTI report, the former Indian captain has been ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury. When Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Although no official announcement has been made yet regarding his replacement, the development has raised concerns among fans and the team management.
A BCCI source was quoted by PTI as confirming the unfortunate news, stating that Kohli will not be available for the Afghanistan ODI due to injury.
The exact nature and severity of the hamstring problem remains unclear, and there is no official information regarding when the injury occurred. However, reports suggest that the problem may have surfaced during ipl 2026 The final will be held on May 31 at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Kohli played an important role in that high-pressure match by remaining unbeaten on 75 runs. Royal Challengers Bangalore chased the target against Gujarat Titans To secure their second consecutive IPL title. Despite any potential discomfort, the veteran batsman produced another match-winning performance when his team needed him most.
India also faces uncertainty regarding Rohit Sharma
Kohli’s absence becomes all the more significant as India’s leadership group is already grappling with uncertainty over the former captain Rohit Sharma. The opening batsman is reportedly recovering from an injury sustained during IPL 2026, and his availability for the Afghanistan series remains uncertain.
If Rohit is also unavailable, India could go into the series without two of its most experienced ODI players. Such a scenario will force the selectors to have more faith in the next generation of cricketers.
Also, this situation presents an opportunity for young Indian batsmen to stake their claim for a regular place in the ODI setup. With a lot of promising talent waiting in the wings, this series could become an important platform for rising stars to impress the team management.
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Kohli’s brilliant ODI rhythm was hampered due to injury
The timing of the injury could not have been worse for Kohli, who has performed remarkably well in 50-over cricket over the last two years. In 2025, the batting icon finished as India’s leading ODI run-scorer with 651 runs in just 13 matches. His impressive numbers include three centuries and four half-centuries, underscoring his continued dominance in the format.
Kohli continued that form in 2026 as well. During the ODI series against India new zealandHe scored 240 runs in three matches, registering both a century and a half-century. His performance cemented his importance in India’s middle-order and strengthened his claim for a place in the squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Apart from the Afghanistan series, Kohli’s injury has also created uncertainty over India’s upcoming ODI tour of England. The three-match series is scheduled to take place from July 14 to July 19 and his recovery timeline will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
Also read: Anil Kumble predicts India’s playing XI for the one-off Test against Afghanistan