Yashavi Jaiswal replaces Virat Kohli (AP Image)
Atul Wasan, the former Indian cricketer believes Virat Kohli’s absence from the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan could be a blessing in disguise for Team India. According to Wassan, the break will help manage Kohli’s workload ahead of the 2027 ODI World Cup while also creating opportunities for emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal.Kohli was ruled out of the ODI series after suffering a hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final on May 31. Despite the injury, the star remained unbeaten on 75 and played a crucial role in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title-winning campaign, helping the franchise secure back-to-back IPL trophies. What were initially thought to be cramps were later confirmed to be a hamstring problem.The three-match ODI series against Afghanistan begins on June 13 in Dharamshala, with the remaining matches scheduled to be played in Lucknow and Chennai.
In Kohli’s absence, young opener Yashavi Jaiswal has been included in the squad. Jaiswal last appeared in an ODI against South Africa, where he scored a century.
Speaking to ANI, Wassan welcomed the decision to rest Kohli.“I am really happy about this news about Virat Kohli missing this series against Afghanistan. I thought it would be an exaggeration if Virat played every series in the upcoming World Cup.
“Given the intensity of his body during the Indian Premier League, and him playing in this heat at his age, I think it was practical for him to take a backseat anyway,” Wasan said.The former cricketer compared Kohli’s workload management to that of spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and stressed the importance of retaining key players in major ICC tournaments.“We have to take a balanced look at how we use Bumrah these days.
These are the two players we have to rescue with cotton wool because we want to take them to the next World Cup. “This is where every team wants their best players to be available and perform well,” he added.Wassan highlighted the depth of Indian cricket, pointing out that Kohli’s absence opens the door for a player of Jaiswal’s caliber.“Imagine Virat goes out and Jaiswal comes in. Can you imagine the embarrassment of riches that Indian cricket has to suffer? Even a player like Yashavi Jaiswal struggles to find a regular place in the ODI team, and now he is getting a chance.
I think this is a win-win situation for India. I’m not a bit upset about Virat not playing, and for me, it’s good news actually. Looking ahead, Wasan asserted that Kohli’s experience will be vital during India’s ODI tour of England, which begins on July 14.He concluded: “According to the England tour, because we are playing in England, I think we will need him there to rally forces. I think it is the ideal result for us.”Kohli enjoyed a stellar campaign in IPL 2026, scoring 675 runs in 16 matches at an average of 56.25 and a career-best strike rate of 165.85. India’s next ODI assignment after the Afghanistan series is a tour of England, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar has indicated that Kohli may return for the series if his recovery progresses as expected in the coming weeks.