Kohli Ruled Out of Series

Virat Kohli will be unavailable for India’s upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan after sustaining a hamstring injury, dealing a significant setback to the team ahead of the short white-ball assignment.

The injury has ruled the star batter out of the 13–20 June series, although it remains unclear whether the problem occurred during the latter stages of the Indian Premier League (IPL) or in subsequent training sessions. Medical staff have not yet provided a definitive timeline for his recovery.

Kohli had recently been in outstanding form, playing a pivotal role in securing the IPL title for his franchise. He produced a match-winning performance in the final, scoring an unbeaten 75 and earning the Player of the Match award. His absence from the national side now comes as a surprise given his recent workload management and form.

During the IPL season, Kohli demonstrated remarkable consistency and dominance with the bat. Across 16 matches, he amassed 675 runs at an impressive average of 56.25 and a striking strike rate of 165.85, underlining his continued value in high-pressure situations.

IPL Performance Summary

Beyond the IPL, Kohli has maintained strong form in international cricket since focusing solely on ODIs following his retirement from T20 and Test formats. His long-term ambition remains to feature prominently in India’s 2027 World Cup campaign before potentially bringing down the curtain on his international career.

In 2025, Kohli registered another prolific year, scoring 651 runs in 13 matches, including three centuries and four half-centuries. Earlier in 2026, he carried that momentum forward with a notable series against New Zealand, where he accumulated 240 runs in three matches, including a century and a fifty.

Recent ODI Form Snapshot

Kohli’s absence leaves a major gap in India’s top order for the Afghanistan series. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has yet to announce a replacement.

Meanwhile, further uncertainty surrounds the availability of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, both of whom are required to undergo fitness assessments at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. Only after receiving clearance will they be eligible for selection, raising additional concerns about India’s squad stability.

Looking ahead, India are scheduled to tour England in July for a three-match ODI series. Kohli’s participation in that tour remains uncertain, depending entirely on his rehabilitation progress. His fitness will be closely monitored in the coming weeks as India manage a critical phase of squad preparation.