Virat Kohli has suffered a hamstring injury and has reportedly been ruled out of India’s upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, according to a PTI report, dealing a significant blow to the team ahead of a series that was set to kickstart preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup.
The former India captain was expected to return to international cricket following the conclusion of IPL 2026, but the injury has now delayed those plans.
He played a match-winning half-century knock in the IPL 2026 final last Sunday in Ahmedabad against the Gujarat Titans to help the Royal Challengers Bengaluru lift their second consecutive IPL title. Known for his unmatched fitness even at 37, he was in stellar form throughout the tournament. He capped off the season with 675 runs in 16 innings at 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84. He was RCB’s highest run-getter in the tournament and the fourth overall.
“He is out of the ODI series due to a hamstring injury,” a BCCI source told the news agency.
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The three-match ODI series will begin on June 13 in Dharamsala. Kohli’s absence will take the sheen off the upcoming series.
It remains to be seen if Rohit Sharma will be available for the entire contest against Afghanistan. His availability, as clarified by chief selector Ajit Agarkar at the time of the squad announcement, is subject to fitness after a hamstring injury affected his IPL appearances.
More to follow…