BCCI announces young India opener as Virat Kohli’s replacement for Afghanistan ODI series

India have been forced into a late squad change ahead of the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan after Virat Kohli was ruled out with a hamstring injury. The veteran batter sustained the setback in the final match of IPL 2026 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) and will now miss India’s first ODI assignment since January.

Kohli, who now only represents India in the 50-over format following his retirement from Tests and T20Is, was initially named in the squad for the Afghanistan series. However, concerns over his recovery have prompted the selectors to take a cautious approach, especially with an important ODI tour of England scheduled for July. With three ODIs set to be played on June 13, 17 and 20, the Indian team management has already named a replacement, handing an opportunity to one of the country’s most promising young batters.

Virat Kohli ruled out after suffering hamstring injury

Kohli played a pivotal role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successful IPL 2026 campaign, finishing as the franchise’s leading run-scorer and delivering a match-winning unbeaten 75 in the final against GT. His innings earned him the Player of the Match award as RCB secured their second consecutive IPL title.

However, the former India captain picked up a hamstring injury during the title clash. While he managed to complete the innings, subsequent assessments confirmed that he would not be fit in time for the Afghanistan ODI series. India chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed Kohli’s absence and admitted that there is still no definitive timeline regarding his recovery.

“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 said.

The 37-year-old was in excellent ODI form before the injury setback. He scored 240 runs in the home series against New Zealand earlier this year and carried that momentum into IPL 2026, where he amassed 675 runs at an average of 56.25.

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BCCI drafts young opener into India squad for Afghanistan ODI

With Kohli unavailable, Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as his replacement for the Afghanistan series. The left-handed opener returns to the ODI setup after missing the New Zealand series in January. Jaiswal has played only four ODIs for India so far but has already made a strong impression. The youngster has scored 171 runs at an impressive average of 57.00 and registered his maiden ODI century against South Africa in December 2025.

“Yashasvi Jaiswal will replace Virat Kohli for the three ODIs against Afghanistan,” Agarkar confirmed the replacement.

The 24-year-old is currently part of India’s squad for the ongoing one-off Test against Afghanistan and remains one of the most highly-rated batting talents in Indian cricket. His inclusion provides India with an aggressive top-order option as they prepare for the Afghanistan challenge and the subsequent ODI tour of England in July. India’s ODI series against Afghanistan will begin on June 13 in Dharamsala before the action shifts to Lucknow on June 17 and Chennai on June 20.

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