Virat Kohli ruled out of Afghanistan ODI series due to hamstring injury

Sagar Thapa · 04/06/2026 · 2 min read

Virat Kohli Ruled Out of Afghanistan ODI Series Due to Hamstring Injury

India have suffered a major setback ahead of the home series against Afghanistan, with Virat Kohli ruled out of Afghanistan ODI series due to hamstring injury, reportedly ruled out of the upcoming ODI series due to a hamstring injury.

Virat Kohli. (Credits: X.com)According to reports, Kohli will miss the three-match ODI series that begins on June 13. India are scheduled to host Afghanistan for a one-off Test and a three-match ODI series at home.

The Development Comes as a Surprise

The development comes as a surprise because Kohli was initially named in the squad announced by the BCCI on May 19. At that time, India’s premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was rested from both the Test and ODI squads as part of workload management. However, Kohli’s sudden absence has now raised concerns ahead of an important international assignment.

Recent Form and Injury

The timing of the injury is especially disappointing considering his recent form. The Royal Challengers Bengaluru star once again delivered a brilliant season with the bat and finished as the franchise’s leading run-scorer. He also ended the tournament as the fourth-highest run-getter overall.

Kohli scored 675 runs during the season at an impressive average of 56.25. His consistency played a massive role in RCB’s successful title defence as the Bengaluru-based franchise lifted back-to-back IPL trophies.

Recovery and Return

Following the IPL triumph, Kohli kept a relatively low profile and visited Vrindavan to seek blessings just days after the final. Fans widely appreciated the gesture, with several pictures and videos from the spiritual trip going viral on social media.

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Now, reports have confirmed that the former India captain will stay away from the Afghanistan ODI series because of the hamstring issue. The Indian team management is expected to remain cautious with Kohli’s recovery, especially with a busy international calendar ahead.

His absence will leave a big gap in India’s batting line-up, while fans will hope to see him return fully fit soon. More updates regarding his recovery are expected in the coming days.

Sagar Thapa

Sagar Thapa is a senior sports correspondent for The Kathmandu Post, regarded as one of the foremost chroniclers of Nepal’s remarkable cricketing ascent. A graduate of Tribhuvan University, he started his career covering age‑group and university cricket long before Nepal’s national team gained ODI status. Sagar has since reported on every major milestone in Nepal’s journey—from World Cup Qualifiers to the rise of stars like Sandeep Lamichhane in global T20 leagues. His deep understanding of spin bowling and the specific challenges faced by Associate Member nations underpins his widely read columns. Sagar’s work is known for its gentle authority, meticulously contextualising Nepal’s achievements within the broader international game. He has been honoured by the Nepal Sports Journalists Forum and his own newspaper, and he remains passionately committed to telling the stories of the valleys, academies, and tournaments that are shaping the next generation of cricket in Nepal and beyond.