India have been dealt a serious setback ahead of the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, with star batter Virat Kohli ruled out as a consequence of a hamstring injury. India are scheduled to face Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series from June 13 to twenty.
Kohli was instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 title-winning campaign and played a match-winning knock in the ultimate against Gujarat Titans. The veteran remained unbeaten on 75 off 42 deliveries, guiding RCB to a five-wicket victory and their second consecutive IPL crown in Ahmedabad.
Nonetheless, Kohli gave the impression to be in discomfort while running between the wickets throughout the latter stages of the ultimate, despite staying on to finish the chase. In keeping with sources cited by India Today, scans have since revealed a distal semimembranosus tendon tear, which has ruled him out of the Afghanistan series.
The 37-year-old enjoyed one other prolific IPL season, scoring 675 runs in 16 matches at a median of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.85. The total extent of the injury and his recovery timeline are yet to be confirmed.
The injury has come at an unlucky time for Virat Kohli, who was seeking to construct on his excellent form within the Afghanistan series as he continues his push to stay in contention for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Virat Kohli’s Strong ODI Form Halted by Injury Setback
The veteran enjoyed a remarkable 2025 within the 50-over format, ending as India’s leading run-scorer with 651 runs from 13 matches, including three centuries and 4 half-centuries. Kohli carried that momentum into 2026, amassing 240 runs within the three-match ODI series against Recent Zealand, highlighted by a century and a fifty.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has not yet announced a alternative for him within the Afghanistan series. The setback has also raised concerns over Kohli’s availability for India’s upcoming ODI tour of England, which is scheduled to start on July 14.
While India have named a robust squad for the Afghanistan series, the participation of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya will rely on them receiving fitness clearance following the IPL 2026 season.
INDIA’S ODI SQUAD FOR AFGHANISTAN SERIES
Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey
Get the most recent cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates.