Virat Kohli Ruled Out of India vs Afghanistan 2026 ODI Series Due to Injury: Report
Star batter Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the India vs Afghanistan 2026 ODI series, starting June 13, due to a hamstring injury.
In a significant blow to Team India, star batter Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the highly anticipated three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury. The development, reported by PTI on Thursday, June 4, 2026, comes just days before the series opener and casts a shadow over India's preparations for the 2027 ODI World Cup. India ODI Squad for Afghanistan Series: Prince Yadav, Gurnoor Brar and Harsh Dubey Included; Ishan Kishan Replaces Rishabh Pant.
Virat Kohli Ruled Out!
News Alert ! Virat Kohli ruled out of ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury: BCCI source. pic.twitter.com/Ouh91Xy08u
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 4, 2026
Kohli, known for his exceptional fitness even at 37 years of age, reportedly sustained the injury during the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, where he played a crucial role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) successful title defense, even hitting the winning runs. His absence will be keenly felt, as he was expected to make his return to international cricket with this series following the IPL season.
Series Overview: India vs Afghanistan ODIs
The India vs Afghanistan ODI series is part of Afghanistan's multi-format tour of India, which also includes a one-off Test match. The ODI leg of the tour is scheduled to run from June 13 to June 20, 2026. Shubman Gill is slated to lead the Indian side in both the Test and ODI formats. Rohit Sharma's availability for the ODI series also remains contingent on his fitness, following an injury sustained during the IPL.
This series is viewed as an important preparatory phase for both teams ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2027, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Gautam Gambhir vs Selectors? India Coach Favours Sanju Samson Over Shreyas Iyer As India's New T20 Captain.
IND vs AFG 2026 ODI Series Complete Fixtures
Here's the full schedule for the India vs Afghanistan ODI series:
| Match | Date | Time (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st ODI | June 13, 2026 | 1:30 PM | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala |
| 2nd ODI | June 17, 2026 | 1:30 PM | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow |
| 3rd ODI | June 20, 2026 | 1:30 PM | MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai |
All match timings are 1:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Where to Watch
Cricket enthusiasts in India can catch all the action live:
- Television: Star Sports Network
- Streaming: JioHotstar app and website
Details for international broadcasting rights for the UK, USA, and Australia were not explicitly available in the search results for this specific 2026 series. Therefore, fans in these regions are advised to check local sports broadcasters and streaming platforms closer to the match dates.
Kohli's absence is undoubtedly a blow, but it also presents an opportunity for other players to step up and showcase their mettle in the build-up to crucial future tournaments.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 04, 2026 11:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
