BCCI announces Virat Kohli’s replacement for the ODI series vs Afghanistan

Virat Kohli has been ruled out of India’s ODI series against Afghanistan after suffering a hamstring injury during the IPL final, with BCCI naming Yashasvi Jaiswal as his replacement.

New Delhi: The BCCI has announced a major change to India’s ODI squad ahead of the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan, with young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal replacing injured star batter Virat Kohli.

India and Afghanistan are set to face each other in three ODIs following the conclusion of their one-off Test match. The matches will be played in Dharamsala, Lucknow and Chennai on June 13, 17 and 20 respectively.

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Kohli Ruled Out Due to Hamstring Injury

Virat Kohli, who was initially included in the squad, has been ruled out after sustaining a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final.

The injury reportedly occurred during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title clash against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Kohli played a key role in RCB’s successful chase of 155 runs as the franchise lifted its second consecutive IPL trophy.

Ajit Agarkar Confirms Jaiswal’s Inclusion

India chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed that Yashasvi Jaiswal has been added to the ODI squad as Kohli’s replacement.

Despite not being in his best form recently, the selectors have shown faith in the young batter’s ability to deliver at the international level. Jaiswal will now have a significant opportunity to cement his place in India’s ODI setup during the Afghanistan series.

Jaiswal Looks to Bounce Back

The left-handed batter endured a mixed IPL 2026 campaign with Rajasthan Royals. In 16 matches, Jaiswal scored 427 runs at an average of 30.5.

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Although his performances lacked consistency, the youngster remains one of India’s most promising batting talents and will be eager to make an impact in Kohli’s absence.

Big Void in India’s Batting Line-Up

Kohli’s absence leaves a major gap in India’s middle order ahead of the ODI series. His experience and form have often played a crucial role in India’s performances in the 50-over format.

The upcoming series will now offer younger players an opportunity to step up and prove themselves as India continues building towards future international tournaments.