Virat Kohli is making good progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury and is on track to return for India’s upcoming ODI series in England.
“Kohli has started his rehabilitation, and his injury is healing quickly. He is expected to report to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence for his fitness assessment and clearance soon,” a source told TOI. “If his recovery goes as planned, Kohli is expected to make his comeback to the team in the upcoming England series.”
The selection committee meeting to pick India’s ODI squad for the England tour will happen in the next three to four days. The three-match series is scheduled from July 14 to 19, with matches in Birmingham, Cardiff, and Lord’s.
Kohli missed the ongoing home ODI series against Afghanistan because of the injury. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal replaced him in the squad.
The 37-year-old suffered the hamstring injury during the IPL final. He had scored an unbeaten 75 off 42 balls to help Royal Challengers Bengaluru chase down 156 against Gujarat Titans and win their second straight IPL title.
Earlier this month, while announcing India’s squads for the Afghanistan series, chief selector Ajit Agarkar said Kohli could be fit for the England series. But he added that there was “no clear timeline” from the physio at that point.
“With Virat, it’s just been less than a week since he injured himself in the IPL final. We don’t know the timelines yet. But it looks like he might be fit for that England one-day series,” Agarkar had said.
Kohli has been consulting Dr Dinshaw Pardiwalla, a surgeon at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital who also serves as the BCCI’s consultant orthopaedic surgeon.
Photos also surfaced online showing Kohli spending time in London with Jordon Cox, his RCB teammate. The meeting happened just before Cox was named in England’s playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand.
India Set to Announce England Tour Squad Later This Week
India’s selection committee is expected to announce the squad for the upcoming tour of England later this week. The announcement will clarify which players are available, and who makes the cut for the important overseas series.
India, led by Shubman Gill, are currently playing Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series. The first match was held in Dharamsala on June 13, where India won by seven wickets. The remaining matches are scheduled in Lucknow on June 17 and Chennai on June 20.
After the Afghanistan series, India will travel to Belfast for two T20Is against Ireland on June 26 and 28. Then they head to England for a five-match T20I series from July 1 to 11. That will be followed by a three-match ODI series against England from July 14 to 19. The squad for the entire UK tour is expected to be announced during the final stages of the ongoing Afghanistan series.
Virat Kohli was ruled out of the Afghanistan series as he recovers from a hamstring injury. The team management is optimistic that he won’t be out for long and could return sooner than initially expected. He picked up the injury during the IPL 2026 final, which ruled him out of the Afghanistan series. Yashasvi Jaiswal was brought in as his replacement.
Before the injury, Kohli helped his franchise win their first IPL title. He scored 675 runs in 16 matches during the campaign and was one of the team’s best performers.
In Kohli’s absence, India have used the Afghanistan series to test their bench strength and give opportunities to younger players at the international level. Hardik Pandya missed the first match, and Jasprit Bumrah was rested for the whole series.
India won the first ODI by seven wickets via the Duckworth-Lewis method. Rain delayed the start and reduced the match to 25 overs per side. Afghanistan were bowled out for 194 in 24.5 overs, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz smashing 102 off 51 balls.
India debutants Harsh Dubey and Gurnoor Brar took three wickets each. India chased down the target easily, reaching 195/3 in 22.5 overs. Captain Shubman Gill remained unbeaten on 84 off 66 balls. Rohit Sharma also featured in the playing XI despite Kohli’s absence.
FAQs
Q. Why is Virat Kohli not playing in the Afghanistan ODI series?
A. Virat Kohli is recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered during the IPL 2026 final.
Q. How did Virat Kohli get injured?
A. Kohli picked up the hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final.
Q. When will India announce the squad for the England tour?
A. India’s selectors are expected to announce the squad later this week.
Q. How has Virat Kohli’s recovery progressed?
A. Kohli’s rehabilitation is going well according to team sources.
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