Yashasvi Jaiswal replaces injured Virat Kohli for Afghanistan ODIs
In a major development for India’s upcoming cricket schedule, Yashasvi Jaiswal replaces injured Virat Kohli for Afghanistan ODIs. The news comes as a massive blow to the Indian team’s preparations, with the veteran batsman sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s triumphant campaign in the IPL 2026. This squad update reshapes India’s batting lineup as they prepare to face a competitive Afghanistan side in a three-match series.
Official Confirmation from the Selection Committee
The official confirmation regarding Kohli’s injury and his subsequent exclusion from the squad was delivered by Ajit Agarkar, India’s chairman of selectors, in Mumbai on Saturday. With Kohli being ruled out, the selectors have turned to the youthful exuberance of Yashasvi Jaiswal to fill the massive void in the top order. The upcoming series will serve as an essential testing ground for India’s bench strength and tactical flexibility.
Virat Kohli’s Stellar ODI and IPL Form
Losing Virat Kohli is a significant setback for India, especially considering his exclusive focus on the 50-over format. Having retired from both T20Is and Test cricket, Kohli’s sole international commitments lie in ODI cricket. His previous appearance for the national side came during the home series against New Zealand in January. Although India suffered a 2-1 series defeat, Kohli was in sensational form, ending the series as India’s top scorer. He amassed 240 runs at a stunning average of 80.00 and a brisk strike rate of 105.26.
Kohli carried this exceptional batting rhythm into the IPL 2026 season. He spearheaded Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s batting lineup, scoring 675 runs at an average of 56.25. Remarkably, he registered a strike rate of 165.84, marking his best-ever strike rate in any IPL season. His prolific run-scoring played a pivotal role in RCB securing back-to-back titles, making them only the third franchise in IPL history to achieve this remarkable feat. Unfortunately, the high-intensity tournament took a physical toll, resulting in the hamstring injury that has now ruled him out of international duty.
The Opportunity for Yashasvi Jaiswal
With Kohli unavailable, the spotlight shifts to Yashasvi Jaiswal. The young left-hander has been highly impressive across other formats, and this replacement call-up offers him a golden opportunity to establish his credentials in the 50-over arena. Stepping into a spot left vacant by Kohli is an immense responsibility, but Jaiswal’s technical discipline and aggressive approach make him an exciting prospect for the selectors as they look to build depth in the batting department.
India vs Afghanistan ODI Series Schedule
The highly anticipated three-match ODI series against Afghanistan is scheduled to take place across three distinct venues in India. The fixtures are as follows:
- First ODI: June 13 in Dharamsala
- Second ODI: June 17 in Lucknow
- Third ODI: June 20 in Chennai
Each of these venues offers unique playing conditions, from the cooler, seam-friendly environment of Dharamsala to the spin-heavy pitches of Lucknow and Chennai. This variety will test the adaptability of the Indian batting order in the absence of their most experienced anchor.
Looking Ahead to the England Tour
The stakes for the Afghanistan series are exceptionally high, as India’s next assignment is a high-profile ODI tour of England starting on July 14. The national selectors have confirmed that the squad for the England series will be selected only after evaluating performances in the matches against Afghanistan. This makes the upcoming series a crucial audition for Jaiswal and several other players hoping to secure their spots in the primary playing XI for the challenging English tour.
