IND vs AFG 2026: 3 players who can replace injured Virat Kohli in ODI squad

In a massive disappointment for the Indian team, experienced batter Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the upcoming One-Day International series against Afghanistan owing to an injury. The cricketer reportedly pulled his hamstring during the title-winning IPL 2026 campaign with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he also hit the winning runs with his unbeaten 75 off 42 in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

With an unfortunate hamstring injury ruling the seasoned campaigner from the series at home

against the neighbours, the BCCI has already started looking for a replacement for the star batter. While there are a bunch of options, not all of them might be able to fill the big shoes of Kohli, who will be supporting his side in the three-match series from the television set.

Here are 3 players who can replace Virat Kohli in India's ODI squad vs Afghanistan:

3. Yashasvi Jaiswal

A left-handed opening batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal is nowhere close to being a like-for-like replacement for Kohli in the ODI set-up. However, he has been a regular backup opener for the side for the last year or so and also impressed with a century on his debut last year. This makes him a standout option, as he is already familiar with the team culture and dressing room environment.

In just four ODI matches so far, Jaiswal has scored 171 runs at an average of 57.00 for the Men in Blue. The Bhadohi-born made his debut in the one-day format back in February 2025, but since then, a packed batting unit has seen him fill roles only in case there are injuries or unavailabilities. As a result, Jaiswal certainly is a choice the selection committee might ponder upon to replace Kohli.

2. Rajat Patidar

It may come as extremely surprising, but Rajat Patidar has been a consistent performer for Madhya Pradesh and RCB over the last couple of seasons. He has also been a key contributor to the success of different sides he has represented in the domestic circuit, and as a result, the selectors may want to give Patidar a taste of the set-up once again after his only appearance versus South Africa in December 2023.

Patida is a lethal batting option and has scored a truckload of runs over the last couple of seasons in red-ball as well as white-ball cricket to demonstrate his versatility and potential as an all-format player for the national side. If the selectors are keen on giving another opportunity to the Madhya Pradesh cricketer, he will be looking to hop onto it with both hands.

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad

The last on the list, and probably the best replacement for Kohli in the ODI squad for the series against Afghanistan, could be the talented batter Ruturaj Gaikwad. The ace cricketer has a taste of batting at the top as well as the middle order. In his most recent ODI outing, Gaikwad impressed everyone with a century, a masterful innings in which he shared a memorable partnership alongside Kohli himself.

As a result, the Maharashtra cricketer can be earmarked by the selectors as the frontrunner to replace the 37-year-old in the 50-overs' squad. His recent tumultuous form with the bat for CSK has been quite disappointing, but it does not take away the skills and prospect of the Pune-born as a batter in the one-day format.