Virat Kohli has been ruled out of India’s upcoming One Day International series against Afghanistan due to injury, with left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal named as his replacement in the squad.
Kohli sustained a hamstring injury during the recently concluded Indian Premier League season. The injury has forced him to withdraw from the Afghanistan series. Despite the setback, expectations remain that he could return for the England series, according to India’s selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar.
Kohli had featured prominently in the IPL, producing strong performances and playing a key role for Royal Challengers Bengaluru during their campaign. However, his injury occurred during the tournament, leading to his current unavailability at international level.
The former India captain has already retired from Test cricket and international T20Is, and now represents India exclusively in the ODI format. His most recent appearance in national colours came in January during the ODI series against New Zealand.
In that series, India lost 2–1, and Kohli accumulated 240 runs at an average of 80 and a strike rate of 105.26, underlining his consistent contribution despite the team’s defeat.
With Kohli sidelined, Jaiswal has been drafted into the squad. The young opener has been recognised for his performances in domestic and international cricket, earning a place in the ODI setup for the upcoming series.
Recent Performance Overview
| Player | Series | Opponent | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | Last ODI series | New Zealand | 240 | 80 | 105.26 | India lost 2–1 |
India will now proceed into the Afghanistan ODI series with a revised batting line-up following Kohli’s withdrawal, while the selection panel continues to assess his recovery for future fixtures, including the England series.