Jaiswal replaces injured Kohli for Afghanistan ODIs

Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan after suffering a hamstring injury during the just-concluded IPL. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as his replacement for the series that kick-starts on June 13.

Chief selector Ajit Agarkar confirmed the development while announcing India's squads for the upcoming T20I assignments. Agarkar also remained optimistic of Kohli's chances of featuring in the England ODIs that will be played mid-July. "With Virat at this point, it's just been less than a week since he injured himself in the (IPL) finals. We don't know the timelines yet," Agarkar said. "But it looks like he might be fit for that England one-day series. It's not a definitive answer, so don't hold me to it. I haven't had a clear timeline from the physio yet."

Kohli was in blazing form in the IPL, scoring 675 runs at a strike rate of 165.85 - his best in the IPL - to help RCB retain their IPL crown. Jaiswal, who is not a regular for India in the 50-over format, scored an unbeaten ton against South Africa in his most recent ODI appearance six months ago in the absence of Shubman Gill.

BCCI secretary Devajith Saikia confirmed that fitness clearances for Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma are awaited before the duo can participate in the ODI series. "Hardik is in CoE Bengaluru," Saikia confirmed. "He is going through a rehabilitation programme. He will soon go for the final test, and he'll be in the process of clearance. Rohit will also visit the CoE in the next two to three days. We are awaiting their final fitness clearance."

Regarding Hardik's absence from the three T20I squads announced Saturday (June 6), Agarkar confirmed that the immediate focus for the all-rounder is the 50-over format, given the ODI World Cup in 2027.

The first ODI against Afghanistan will be played on June 13 in Dharamsala before the teams fly to Lucknow and Chennai for the second and final games on June 17 and 20 respectively.