India names Yashasvi Jaiswal replacement for injured Virat Kohli in Afghanistan ODI series

Virat Kohli suffered a distal semimembranosus hamstring tear while batting in the IPL 2026 final and has been ruled out of the three‑match One Day International series against Afghanistan that begins on 13 June in Dharamsala, with the remaining games in Lucknow and Chennai. Chief selector Ajit Agarkar announced that Yashasvi Jaiswal will replace Kohli in the squad. Jaiswal, a left‑handed opener, has played four ODIs and scored an unbeaten 116 against South Africa in December 2025.

The BCCI confirmed that Kohli’s return for India's July 14 ODI series in England is uncertain, citing no clear timeline from the physio team. Senior players Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya also remain under fitness assessment at the Board of Control for Cricket in India's Centre of Excellence. The updated squad, led by Shubman Gill, also includes uncapped youngsters Harsh Dubey, Gurnoor Brar and Prince Yadav as India prepares for the series and the upcoming 2027 World Cup.

The series is part of India's preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup, with the team looking to balance experience and emerging talent after Kohli’s injury.