Virat Kohli Ruled Out of Afghanistan ODIs Amid Injury Concerns; Yashasvi Jaiswal Named Replacement as India Announce Major T20I and Asian Games Squads

The Board of Control for Cricket in India chief selector Ajit Agarkar on Saturday confirmed the development while announcing India’s squads for the T20 International series against Ireland and England, along with the team selection for the Asian Games. Young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as Kohli’s replacement in the ODI squad against Afghanistan. Jaiswal is also part of India’s squad for the one-off Test match against Afghanistan in Mullanpur.

According to reports, Kohli is also likely to miss the ODI series against England to ensure complete recovery. Medical assessments have confirmed a hamstring tear that does not require surgery but will necessitate an estimated six-week recovery period. His rehabilitation will take place at the Board of Control for Cricket in India Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He also underwent a teleconsultation with noted orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwalla at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, where his magnetic resonance imaging scans were reviewed.

The Indian T20 International setup also witnessed major leadership changes, with Shreyas Iyer appointed as the new captain, replacing Suryakumar Yadav. In a historic development, 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has been included in the national T20 International squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England.

At 15 years and 71 days, Sooryavanshi has become the youngest player ever selected for an Indian cricket team, surpassing the long-standing record previously associated with Sachin Tendulkar. India will tour Ireland for two T20 International matches scheduled on June 26 and June 28, followed by a five-match T20 International series against England from July 1 to July 11. Shreyas Iyer has returned to the national T20 setup for the first time since his appearance against Australia in Bengaluru on December 3, 2023.

The sweeping changes across formats underline a transitional phase in Indian cricket, marked by injury setbacks, leadership restructuring, and the emergence of new talent at the international level.