India was forced into a late squad change ahead of the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan after Virat Kohli He was sidelined due to a knee injury. The veteran continued the strike in the final match of IPL 2026 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) and will now miss India’s first ODI assignment since January.
Kohli, who now only represents India in the 50-over format after retiring from Tests and T20Is, was initially included in the squad for the Afghanistan series. However, concerns over his recovery have prompted the selectors to take a cautious approach, especially with an important ODI tour looming. England scheduled for July. With three ODIs to be played on June 13, 17 and 20, the Indian team management has already named a replacement, giving one of the country’s most promising young strikers an opportunity.
Virat Kohli is out after suffering a thigh injury
Kohli was instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successful IPL 2026 campaign, finishing as the franchise’s leading run-scorer and hitting an unbeaten 75 in the final against GT. His innings earned him the Man of the Match award as RCB secured their second consecutive IPL title.
However, the former India captain suffered a knee injury during the title fight. Although he was able to complete the innings, further assessments confirmed that he would not be fit in time for the Afghanistan ODI series. Chief Elector of India Ajit Agarkar confirmed Kohli’s absence and admitted that there is no clear timeline yet on his recovery.
“Now it’s less than a week since he got injured in the IPL final with Virat. We don’t know the timelines yet. But it looks like he might be fit for England’s one-day series.” Agarkar said.
The 37-year-old was in excellent ODI form before the injury. He scored 240 in the back-to-back home series New Zealand earlier this year and carried that momentum into IPL 2026, where he amassed 675 runs at an average of 56.25.
BCCI prepares young opener for India squad for Afghanistan ODI
Kohli is not available Yashasvi Jaiswal His replacement was chosen for the Afghanistan series. After releasing the left-handed switch, it returns to the ODI setup New Zealand January series. Jaiswal has played only four ODIs for India so far but has already made a strong impression. Young scored 171 runs at an impressive average of 57.00 and registered his maiden ODI century against. South Africa In December 2025.
“Yashvi Jaiswal to replace Virat Kohli for three ODIs against Afghanistan” Agarkar confirmed his replacement.
The 24-year-old is currently part of the Indian squad for the ongoing one-off Test against Afghanistan and remains one of the top-rated batting talents in Indian cricket. His inclusion provides India with an aggressive top-order option as they prepare for the challenge of Afghanistan and the next ODI tour of England in July. India’s ODI series against Afghanistan will begin in Dharamsala on June 13, before the action moves to Lucknow on June 17 and Chennai on June 20.
