India has suffered a major setback ahead of their upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, with the star batter Virat Kohli reportedly ruled out due to a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final. The injury is expected to keep Kohli out of action for at least a couple of weeks, forcing the selectors to look for a replacement ahead of the series.
According to multiple reports, scans revealed a distal semimembranosus tendon tear in Kohli’s hamstring, which makes him unavailable for the Afghanistan ODIs.The injury comes shortly after Kohli played an important role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL-winning campaign, raising concerns over workload and fitness management.
In Kohli’s absence, Ruturaj Gaikwad is expected to be named in India‘s ODI squad . The Chennai Super Kings batter has emerged as the frontrunner to replace the veteran, with the selectors reportedly keen to reward his consistent performances in domestic and international cricket. Gaikward recently returned to the India A setup and remains highly regarded as one of the most dependable top-order batters of the country.
The reshuffle could also create opportunities elsewhere. Reports suggest that Rajat Patidar may be considered for the India A squad that is set to travel to Sri Lanka for a tri-series involving Afghanistan A and Sri Lanka A. The move would be part of a wider selection adjustment, which is triggered by Kohli’s injury and Gaikwad’s likely promotion to the senior side.
Meanwhile, uncertainty also surrounds the former captain Rohit Sharma, whose availability for the Afghanistan series remains under assessment. If both the senior stars miss the series, India could field a significantly younger batting lineup as the team begins preparations for future international assignments.
Sources: Times of India | Hindustan Times
