India Star Batter Likely to Miss June ODI Series but Could Return Against England

New Delhi: India batting superstar Virat Kohli has been officially ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan after failing to recover fully from a hamstring injury sustained during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 final.

The announcement was made by India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar, who confirmed that young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as Kohli's replacement in the squad for the series.

The setback comes as a significant blow for Team India, with Kohli continuing his recovery after suffering the injury during the IPL final while representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Virat Kohli Injury Update

Speaking at a press conference at the BCCI headquarters, Ajit Agarkar said that the medical team is still assessing Kohli's recovery timeline and that there is currently no definitive date for his return to competitive cricket.

"With Virat, it has been less than a week since he injured himself in the final. We are still assessing his recovery and do not have a clear timeline yet. Yashasvi Jaiswal will replace him in the squad," Agarkar said.

The chief selector expressed optimism that Kohli could recover in time for India's ODI series against England scheduled for July, although he stressed that no final decision has been made regarding the veteran batter's availability.

Injury Occurred During IPL 2026 Final

Kohli suffered the hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad against Gujarat Titans.

Despite the setback, the former India captain produced a match-winning performance, scoring an impressive 75 runs and earning the Player of the Match award as Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured their second IPL title.

The innings once again highlighted Kohli's importance to both his franchise and the Indian national team.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Gets Big Opportunity

With Kohli unavailable, the selectors have turned to one of India's brightest young talents, Yashasvi Jaiswal, to strengthen the batting lineup.

The left-handed opener has featured in only four One-Day Internationals since making his ODI debut against England in February 2025. However, he has already showcased his potential at the international level.

One of Jaiswal's standout performances came against South Africa at Visakhapatnam, where he scored a brilliant 116 runs, registering his maiden ODI century and helping India secure a memorable victory.

His inclusion offers another opportunity to cement his place in India's white-ball setup ahead of a busy international calendar.

India vs Afghanistan ODI Series Schedule

India will host Afghanistan for a three-match ODI series later this month.

The matches are scheduled to be played at:

The series will serve as an important platform for several young players aiming to establish themselves in India's ODI squad.

Hardik Pandya Nearing Return

Meanwhile, BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia provided an update on all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence (COE) in Bengaluru.

According to Saikia, Pandya is nearing the final phase of his recovery programme and is expected to receive medical clearance soon.

"Hardik is currently at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He is progressing through rehabilitation and will soon enter the final phase of recovery before undergoing the clearance process," Saikia said.

Although Pandya has been included in the ODI squad against Afghanistan, he has been rested from India's T20 assignments against Ireland and England, as well as the Asian Games, to carefully manage his workload.

Rohit Sharma Also Undergoing Fitness Assessment

Former India captain Rohit Sharma is also expected to report to the Centre of Excellence for evaluation after dealing with a hamstring issue during the IPL season.

The injury restricted Rohit to only nine appearances for Mumbai Indians during IPL 2026.

BCCI officials confirmed that all injured players must complete their rehabilitation programmes and receive final clearance from the Centre of Excellence before becoming available for national selection.

Team India Managing Workload Ahead of Busy Schedule

With several senior players recovering from injuries, the Indian team management is focusing on fitness management and workload monitoring ahead of an important international season.

The Afghanistan ODI series will provide an opportunity for emerging talents such as Yashasvi Jaiswal to gain valuable experience, while India awaits the return of key players including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Hardik Pandya.

As fans eagerly await Kohli's comeback, the focus now shifts to India's preparations for the Afghanistan series and the subsequent ODI challenge against England.

(With inputs from agencies)