Explained: Why Virat Kohli is not playing India vs Afghanistan ODI series 2026

Explained: Why Virat Kohli is not playing India vs Afghanistan ODI series 2026 originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Virat Kohli has been ruled out of India's three-match ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury.

The injury was sustained during RCB's IPL 2026 title run, just days before the squad was announced.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as his replacement, with Agarkar saying Kohli could be fit for the England ODI series beginning July 14.

Why is Virat Kohli not playing in the India vs. Afghanistan ODI series 2026?

Indian fans were excited about the upcoming three-match ODI series after their win against Afghanistan in the one-off Test. After all, it would've been their only chance to see Virat Kohli with the national side after he retired from Test cricket last year.

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But the fans were left disappointed when it was later announced that Kohli wouldn't be part of the squad, despite coming off a blistering season with RCB.

The real reason behind his absence is that Kohli sustained a hamstring injury last month.

The injury occurred in the final stages of the tournament, which culminated in Kohli scoring an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls in the IPL final against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, guiding RCB to their second consecutive title. India's chairman of selectors, Ajit Agarkar, confirmed his absence from the Afghanistan series at a press conference in Mumbai.

MORE:India squad for Afghanistan Test and ODI series 2026: Full team lists for IND vs AFG series

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When will Virat Kohli return?

With Virat at this point, it's just been less than a week since he injured himself in the [IPL] finals. We don't know the timelines yet. But it looks like he might be fit for that England one-day series," Agarkar mentioned. But he also confirmed there is no clear timeline for Kohli's return from the physio.

However, the selectors are optimistic that he could be available for India's next ODI assignment, a three-match series against England beginning July 14. The Afghanistan series represents the only window he is expected to miss, provided there are no setbacks in his recovery.

How does Kohli's absence affect India's ODI setup?

With Kohli out of action, Rajasthan Royals opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been given the task to replace the Run Machine at the number three spot. The opener has been exceptional for the test side, having scored 2535 runs at an average of 48.75, including seven centuries. Despite this, he has played just four ODI matches.

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But despite his limited exposure to the limited-overs format, his average of 57.00 and an unbeaten century prove that if given the chance, he can cement his place as India's next great left-hander. But Kohli isn't the only senior name whose availability is up for question for the upcoming series.

Rohit Sharma's availability for the series is also uncertain following an injury sustained during the IPL, adding to India's selection headaches. With less than one year left for the 2027 World Cup, each ODI series is a test for players to book their berth for the World Cup squad. With Kohli and Sharma both missing this series, it will be up to the newcomers to prove themselves.

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