Kohli Out of Afghanistan ODIs: Hamstring Woes Strike Indian Star

Star Indian batter Virat Kohli is sidelined from the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury. The series starts on June 13. Kohli's absence, alongside potential doubts over Rohit Sharma's participation, has raised concerns. Kohli, now an ODI-exclusive player, has been in stellar form recently.

Star Indian cricketer Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury, according to sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). This unfortunate development comes as the series is set to commence on June 13, following a standalone Test match between India and Afghanistan in New Chandigarh.

Kohli's injury woes first became apparent during the closing stages of the Indian Premier League (IPL) final against the Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad. Despite his discomfort, Kohli managed to lead Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a challenging 156-run chase, showcasing his prowess with an impressive 42-ball 75*. However, his absence from the Afghanistan series leaves a significant gap in the Indian squad's batting lineup.

Adding to India's concerns is the possible unavailability of former captain Rohit Sharma, who may also miss the series due to fitness issues. Kohli, who recently retired from T20 Internationals and Tests, has been focusing solely on his ODI career. In recent outings, he has continued to demonstrate his exceptional batting skills, most notably amassing 616 runs in nine innings with a remarkable average of 88 and three centuries since adapting to his new role as an ODI-exclusive player.