Star India batter Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury, according to reports quoting sources in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The injury reportedly occurred during the closing stages of the IPL 2026 final, where Kohli appeared to struggle while running between the wickets. Despite the discomfort, he played a match-winning knock of 75 not out off 42 balls to guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to victory over Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.
India are scheduled to host Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series beginning on June 13, following a one-off Test match in New Chandigarh.
Meanwhile, former India captain Rohit Sharma has been included in the squad but remains doubtful for the series, with his participation dependent on his fitness status.
Kohli enjoyed another prolific IPL season, finishing as RCB’s leading run-scorer and the tournament’s fourth-highest scorer. The veteran amassed 675 runs in 16 innings at an average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84, including one century and five half-centuries.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest ODI batters in cricket history, Kohli has accumulated 14,797 runs in 299 ODI innings at an average of 58.71. His tally includes a record 54 centuries and 77 fifties, making him the format’s most prolific century-maker.
Now an ODI specialist after retiring from T20 Internationals following India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph and stepping away from Test cricket in 2025, Kohli has continued to excel in the 50-over format.
Since the beginning of 2025, he has scored 891 runs in 16 ODIs at an average of 68.53, including four centuries and five fifties. He also played a pivotal role in India’s ICC Champions Trophy-winning campaign last year.
