Published on: Jun 4, 2026 2:59 pm IST|Updated on: Jun 4, 2026 3:51 pm IST
IND vs AFG: The Indian team has suffered a massive blow with star batter, the 37-year-old Virat Kohli, being ruled out of the upcoming 3-match ODI series against Afghanistan at home. As per PTI, a source close to BCCI announced that the experienced batter sustained a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final, where he was visibly hobbling while running between the wickets during his unbeaten knock of 75 from 42 deliveries.
Although Afghanistan isn’t a massive threat for Team India, particularly in home conditions, Kohli’s absence would mean that the Indian team will miss their most dependable batter at No. 3. With the BCCI still lip-bound on announcing Kohli’s replacement in the squad, here we have come up with three possible names who could replace the star batter in the Indian squad for the IND vs AFG ODI series.
The wicket-keeper batter had a memorable ICC T20 World Cup 2026, where he ended up as Team India’s leading run-scorer and also won the much-deserved Player of the Tournament award. Sanju has been Team India’s prime figure in T20Is, but he hasn’t been an active member in India’s ODI setup.
Sanju last played an ODI back in 2023 against South Africa at the Boland Park in Boland. Interestingly, the 31-year-old scored his first and only ton in the format so far in that game. Batting at no. 3, Sanju scored 108 off 114 balls, but since then, he has been sidelined from the ODI setup. With an opportunity to bat at no. 3 yet again, Sanju could be one option the Indian selectors may discuss.
Fresh off back-to-back IPL title wins, the RCB skipper Rajat Patidar is another batter who has got all the potential to bat at No. 3 for Team India in the near future. Rajat loves batting at 3 and 4. He bats at 3 for his state, Madhya Pradesh, in the domestic circuit and will reprise the role at a similar position if he gets a chance to represent Team India in ODIs.
Rajat has played only one ODI in his career, back in 2023 against South Africa, where he scored 22 runs from 16 deliveries while opening the innings alongside B. Sai Sudharsan. This was the same game where Sanju Samson scored 108 off 114 deliveries, and since then, both Sanju and Rajat haven’t featured for Team India in India’s ODI blues. Rajat had yet another memorable IPL season, leading RCB to their second title on the trot. On the personal front, Rajat hammered 501 runs in 14 innings with a staggering strike rate of 193.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is another top-order batter who could be drafted into the Indian squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan. Yes, Ruturaj endured one of his worst IPL seasons recently and was criticized for his lackluster approach. However, the approach he used in the Tata IPL 2026 could come in handy in ODI cricket.
Ruturaj has all the skills to deliver the goods. His technique has always been cherished by former cricketers. If Ruturaj gets a spot in the ODI squad as Kohli’s replacement, Team India could bank on him for the long run, as he can be an apt replacement for the champion batter who is nearing his twilight days. Ruturaj most recently featured for Team India in the home ODI series against South Africa, where he scored a ton in the second game of the three-match series, batting at no 4.