Virat Kohli replacement named for Afghanistan ODIs, Agarkar delivers positive fitness update

India chief selector Ajit Agarkar has provided an update on Virat Kohli’s injury, confirming that the batter will miss the upcoming Afghanistan ODI series but could return for the England tour.

Speaking at the press conference, Agarkar said, “Virat got injured in the IPL final, we do not know the timeline but it looks like he might be fit for the England series.”

Kohli sustained the hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final on May 31, where he remained unbeaten on 75 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru and helped them win back-to-back IPL titles while visibly struggling with discomfort. What was initially thought to be cramps has now been confirmed as a hamstring issue.

He has been ruled out of the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, which begins on June 13 in Dharamshala, with matches also scheduled in Lucknow and Chennai. In his absence, young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as his replacement, who scored a hundred vs South Africa in his last ODI appearance.

Kohli had a terrific IPL 2026 season, scoring 675 runs in 16 matches at an average of 56.25 and a career-best strike rate of 165.85.

India’s next ODI assignment will be the England series starting July 14. Agarkar added that Kohli may be fit for the England ODIs, and his availability will depend on how his recovery progresses over the coming weeks.

India’s ODI Squad vs Afghanistan: Shubman Gill (Captain), Rohit Sharma*, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shreyas Iyer (vice-captain), KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Hardik Pandya*, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar, Harsh Dubey.

Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya’s availability is subject to fitness.