Indian cricket fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Virat Kohli’s recovery from a hamstring injury appears to be progressing well ahead of the upcoming
ODI series against England. The star batter, who missed the ongoing three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, is expected to return to full fitness in time for India’s tour of England next month.
Why is Virat Kohli out of the Afghanistan ODI series?
Kohli sustained a hamstring strain during the IPL 2026 final while representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Despite helping RCB successfully defend their title and finishing the season with an impressive 675 runs in 16 matches, the injury forced the veteran batter to sit out the Afghanistan series as a precautionary measure. The Indian selectors, led by Ajit Agarkar, opted not to rush Kohli back into action, with the primary focus being on ensuring a complete recovery ahead of a crucial overseas assignment.
However, according to recent reports, Kohli has responded exceptionally well to treatment and rehabilitation. Initial concerns regarding a prolonged absence have eased considerably after fresh medical assessments indicated that the injury is less serious than originally feared.
The Indian team management remains optimistic about his recovery, and there have been no indications of any major setback in the rehabilitation process.
Will Virat Kohli play against England?
As things stand, Kohli is widely expected to be available for the ODI series against England, which is scheduled to begin on July 14. The month-long recovery window provides sufficient time for the 37-year-old to regain match fitness and resume full training.
Unless there is an unforeseen complication during the final stages of rehabilitation, Kohli is likely to return to lead India’s batting unit once again. Kohli’s potential return comes as a significant boost for India as the former captain remains one of the team’s most experienced batters in overseas conditions and continues to be a key figure in the ODI setup.
With India looking to build momentum against a strong England side, having Kohli back in the lineup would strengthen both the batting order and the team’s overall balance. For now, all signs point towards a timely comeback, with the Indian cricket superstar firmly on course to feature in the EnglandODI series next month.
