Ruturaj Gaikwad likely to replace Virat Kohli as AFG ODIs despite slim IPL 2026
India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series in Afghanistan is set for a change after Virat Kohli was ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained during the final of IPL 2026. According to a report in The Indian Express, Ruturaj Gaikwad has emerged as the top contender to replace the veteran batsman in the three-match series.
Kohli has been advised to rest for at least two weeks after scans revealed a hamstring problem, effectively ending his chances of featuring in the Afghanistan ODI. With the BCCI expected to announce a replacement soon, Gaikwad is seen as a frontrunner to withdraw the legacy ODI setup despite a relatively lean IPL 2026 campaign.
Gaikwad was recently added to the India A squad after Riyan Parag suffered an injury during the IPL. However, the report suggested that the promotion to the senior team could now open the door for Rajat Patidar to join the India A side for the upcoming tri-series in Sri Lanka involving Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A.
The selectors were forced into a late reshuffle after Kohli picked up an injury during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successful run in the IPL final against Gujarat Titans. As the former India skipper battled through discomfort to finish unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls to lead RCB to their second straight IPL title, subsequent scans revealed a distal tear of the semimembranosus tendon.
Kohli’s absence is a significant setback given the form he has shown in the ODI format over the last 18 months. The veteran batsman finished as India’s highest run-scorer in ODIs in 2025 with 651 runs from 13 matches, including three hundreds and four fifties. He then carried that momentum into 2026 when he scored 240 runs against New Zealand in a three-match ODI series that included a century and a half-century.
WHY VIRAT KOHLI NOT PLAYING AFG ODIS?
Kohli was ruled out of the Afghanistan series after suffering a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final in Ahmedabad.
The injury occurred during RCB’s chase of 156 against Gujarat Titans, where Kohli played a match-winning knock of 75 not out. Although he appeared to struggle when running between the wickets late in the innings, he managed to complete the chase and lift the trophy alongside his teammates.
Sources had earlier told India Today that scans revealed a distal tear of the semimembranosus tendon, with the medical staff advising him to take at least two weeks off from competitive cricket. With the Afghanistan series consisting of just three ODIs between June 14 and June 20, the selectors are unlikely to risk rushing him back.
The injury also comes at an inopportune time, with India scheduled to tour England for a three-ODI white-ball series in July. The management is expected to prioritize Kohli’s long-term fitness rather than push him into a relatively short bilateral series.
Kohli was hoping to continue building towards the 2027 ODI World Cup after enjoying one of his strongest runs in the format in recent years. However, an injury temporarily put a halt to those plans and now leaves India searching for a replacement in the middle order.
HOW CAN GAIKWAD REPLACE KOHLI IN INDIA ODI SQUAD?
Gaikwad’s name quickly moved to the top of the selectors’ shortlist due to availability and his recent ODI performances.
The Chennai Super Kings captain has already been drafted into the India A squad as cover for the injured Riyan Parag. However, according to a report by The Indian Express, the selectors are now considering promoting him directly to the senior ODI team following Kohli’s withdrawal.
Even though Gaikwad did not enjoy the most productive IPL 2026 season, he remains highly regarded in the Indian set-up, especially in the 50-over format. His strongest case comes from India’s ODI tour of South Africa, where he scored a century batting in the middle order and displayed the flexibility that the team management values.
His ability to play both as an opener and in the middle order could make him an ideal replacement for Kohli, especially in a team already led by Shubman Gill that has several established top-order options.
Gaikwad’s elevation could also trigger another change elsewhere. The report stated that Rajat Patidar is being considered as a replacement in the India A team for the Sri Lanka tri-series. Fresh from captaining Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden IPL title, Patidar has reportedly impressed the selectors with both his leadership skills and batting performances.
Apart from Kohli, the selectors are also deciding on Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. Both players are currently undergoing fitness assessments following injury concerns during the IPL season. Rohit’s participation remains dependent on his passing a fitness test, while Pandya’s availability will depend on whether he is fit enough to play.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
04 Jun 2026 16:38 IST