The Indian batting mainstay Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the upcoming limited-overs series against Afghanistan after sustaining a hamstring injury, dealing a significant blow to the plans of the India national cricket team. The setback comes at a time when the veteran batter was in exceptional form across formats and competitions.
The three-match series, scheduled for June, was expected to serve as an important preparatory assignment for India ahead of a packed international calendar. Kohli’s absence is now likely to force a reshuffle in the top and middle order, with selectors yet to announce a replacement. The exact moment of the injury remains unclear, with uncertainty over whether it occurred during franchise cricket duties or a training session.
Kohli had been enjoying a prolific run of form in recent months. In a recent franchise competition, he accumulated 675 runs from 16 matches at an average exceeding 56, striking at an impressive rate of around 166. His contribution in the final was particularly notable, where he remained unbeaten on 75 and guided his side to the title, earning the Player of the Match award.
His consistency has not been limited to franchise cricket alone. During the 2025 season, Kohli scored 651 runs in 13 matches, including three centuries and four half-centuries, underlining his sustained excellence. In the 2026 home series against New Zealand, he continued his strong run, amassing 240 runs in three matches, highlighted by a century and a half-century.
The injury concern has also raised broader fitness worries within the Indian camp. Senior players Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya are also scheduled to undergo fitness assessments at a high-performance centre in Bengaluru, adding further uncertainty regarding squad stability.
Team management and the selection committee are now closely monitoring Kohli’s rehabilitation process, with the priority being his safe and timely return to competitive cricket. Medical staff are expected to oversee a structured recovery programme aimed at preventing any recurrence of the injury.
Recent Performance Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Injury | Hamstring strain |
| Missed series | Afghanistan limited-overs series |
| Franchise performance | 16 matches, 675 runs |
| Average / Strike rate | 56+ average, ~166 strike rate |
| Final performance | 75* (Player of the Match) |
| 2025 season | 13 matches, 651 runs, 3 centuries |
| 2026 vs New Zealand | 3 matches, 240 runs |
With Kohli sidelined, India face a crucial challenge in maintaining stability at the top of the order. The coming weeks will be decisive in shaping both his recovery timeline and the team’s strategic adjustments ahead of a demanding international season.