India's preparations for the upcoming ODI season have suffered a significant setback after Virat Kohli was reportedly ruled out of the three match ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury. The development comes just days after the batting superstar played a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's successful IPL 2026 campaign.
The injury has delayed Kohli's much anticipated return to international cricket and raised concerns over India's immediate plans in the 50 over format, especially with the team beginning its long term build up toward the 2027 ODI World Cup.
Injury Comes After Stellar IPL Campaign
Kohli entered the Afghanistan series on the back of one of his most productive IPL seasons in recent years. The 37 year old was instrumental in helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru secure their second consecutive IPL title, finishing as the franchise's highest run scorer.
He amassed 675 runs in 16 innings at an impressive average of 56.25 while maintaining a strike rate of 165.84. His performances throughout the tournament once again highlighted his consistency, adaptability, and enduring influence at the highest level of the game.
The veteran batter also delivered a crucial half century in the IPL final against Gujarat Titans, helping Bengaluru lift the trophy in Ahmedabad.
Major Blow Ahead of Afghanistan Series
India and Afghanistan are scheduled to begin their three match ODI series on June 13 in Dharamsala. Kohli's absence is expected to significantly impact the contest, given his experience and recent dominance in the format.
According to reports, the injury is serious enough to keep him out of the entire series, although there has been no official timeline regarding his return to competitive cricket.
The development comes at a time when India's ODI squad is entering a transition phase, with senior players managing workloads and selectors evaluating long term combinations ahead of future global tournaments.
Kohli Responded Strongly to Questions Over His Future
Over the past year, discussions surrounding Kohli's international future intensified following his retirement from T20 Internationals and Test cricket. However, the former India captain responded emphatically through his performances in ODI cricket.
In 2025, Kohli emerged as the leading run scorer in One Day Internationals, accumulating 651 runs in just 13 innings at an average of 65.10. His remarkable campaign included four centuries, three half centuries, a successful ICC Champions Trophy campaign, and a Player of the Series performance against South Africa.
His consistency also helped him reclaim the No. 1 position in the ICC ODI rankings for the first time in four years, reaffirming his status as one of the format's premier batters.
Continued Commitment to the 50 Over Format
Determined to strengthen his case for India's future ODI plans, Kohli also featured in domestic cricket during the Vijay Hazare Trophy. He scored 208 runs in only two matches, including a commanding century against Andhra.
During the tournament, he achieved another major career milestone by becoming the fastest batter to reach 16,000 List A runs, surpassing several long standing records in the process.
Those performances reinforced his commitment to ODI cricket and underlined his desire to remain a key part of India's plans leading up to the 2027 World Cup.
Rohit Sharma's Fitness Also Under Watch
India's concerns are not limited to Kohli. Captain Rohit Sharma is also recovering from a hamstring issue that affected his IPL campaign.
Chief selector Ajit Agarkar had previously indicated that Rohit's participation in the Afghanistan series would depend on his fitness status. With Kohli already unavailable, India's management will closely monitor the captain's recovery before the opening ODI.
For now, India's focus will shift toward finding the right combination without one of the greatest ODI batters of the modern era, while fans await further updates on Kohli's recovery and return to international action.
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