India's ODI series vs Afghanistan proceeds without Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal named replacement

India is set to play a three‑match One Day International series against Afghanistan on 13, 17 and 20 June 2026 in Dharamshala, Lucknow and Chennai. Star batsman Virat Kohli will miss the entire series after suffering a hamstring strain during the IPL final. Team selectors have named left‑hander Yashasvi Jaiswal in Kohli’s place at the No. 3 batting position. The final squad also includes captain Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Ayyar (vice‑captain), KL Rahul, Ishaan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (who is nearing full rehabilitation), and a mix of other domestic players.

Selectors said Kohli’s fitness will be reassessed for the upcoming July ODI series against England, but his participation in the Afghanistan fixtures is ruled out. The announcement also noted that Hardik Pandya is expected to complete his rehab soon, while former captain Rohit Sharma is undergoing a separate fitness evaluation.

The series will be the first ODI assignment for Jaiswal, who scored a 116‑run knock against South Africa in November 2025, and he is expected to bolster India’s middle order in Kohli’s absence.