Team India they have reportedly suffered a major setback ahead of the upcoming ODI series Afghanistanwith great inclination Virat Kohli missed the appointment of three matches due to injury. The series is scheduled to begin on June 13 and Kohli’s absence could significantly affect India’s preparations as they continue to build towards the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Virat Kohli will miss the Afghanistan ODI match
The former India captain has been ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury, PTI reported. while Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Although an official announcement about his replacement has not yet been made, what happened has caused concern among both the fans and the team management.
A BCCI source quoted by PTI confirmed the unfortunate news, saying that Kohli will not be available for the Afghanistan ODIs due to injury.
The exact nature and severity of the hamstring problem remains unclear, and there is no official word on when the injury occurred. However, according to the information provided, the problem may surface during this period IPL 2026 The final was held on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Kohli played a crucial role in this high-pressure encounter and was unbeaten on 75. Royal Challengers Bengaluru followed the opposite target Gujarat Titans to secure their second consecutive IPL title. Despite the possible discomfort, the veteran batsman produced another match-winning performance when his team needed him most.
India also faced uncertainty over Rohit Sharma
Kohli’s absence becomes all the more significant as India’s management team is already dealing with the uncertainty surrounding the former captain. Rohit Sharma. The opener 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 may go into the series without two of their most experienced ODI players. Such a scenario would make the selectors have more faith in the next generation of cricketers.
At the same time, the situation presents an opportunity for the young Indian batsmen to stake their claim for a regular place in the ODI set-up. With several promising talents waiting in the wings, the series could be an important platform for new stars to impress the team management.
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The injury cuts short Kohli’s excellent ODI run
The timing of the injury could not have been worse for Kohli, who has enjoyed a remarkable run in 50-over cricket over the past two years. In 2025, the batting icon finished as India’s leading ODI run scorer, amassing 651 runs in just 13 matches. His impressive tally spanned three centuries and four half-centuries, underscoring his continued dominance in the format.
Kohli carried this jersey till 2026. Against India’s ODI series New Zealandhe scored 240 runs in three matches and scored both a century and a half-century. His performances have reinforced his importance to the Indian middle-order and bolstered his bid for a place in the squad for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Apart from the Afghanistan series, Kohli’s injury has also created uncertainty around India’s upcoming ODI tour of England. A three-game series is scheduled for July 14 through July 19, and his recovery timeline will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
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