India have suffered a major setback ahead of their ODI series against Afghanistan, with star batter Virat Kohli ruled out after sustaining a hamstring injury.

A BCCI source confirmed to PTI that the former India captain will miss the three-match series, which begins on June 13 in Dharamsala. The remaining matches are scheduled to be played in Lucknow on June 17 and Chennai on June 20.

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Kohli’s absence comes at a time when he has been enjoying a rich run of form. The 37-year-old was one of the standout performers in the IPL 2026 season, playing a crucial role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successful title-winning campaign.

The veteran batter scored 675 runs during the tournament, including one century and five half-centuries, helping RCB secure back-to-back IPL titles. He also played an important role in the final against Gujarat Titans, finishing the chase and underlining his importance to the side.

Known for his fitness and consistency, Kohli has remained one of the leading batters in world cricket despite being in the later stages of his career. His injury will force India to rethink their batting plans for the Afghanistan series.

India are also awaiting clarity on the fitness of captain Rohit Sharma, who is recovering from a hamstring injury suffered during the IPL. His participation in the series remains uncertain and will depend on medical clearance.

The absence of both senior stars has once again sparked discussion about India’s long-term ODI plans as the team prepares for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa. Kohli and Rohit have not featured regularly in Test cricket recently, leading to increased attention on their workload management and future roles in international cricket.

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