Why India ODI Squad vs England Not Announced And Who Will Replace Virat Kohli In IND vs AFG? BCCI Reveals

Kohli ruled out of England ODIs [Source: AFP]

After playing in the ODIs against the Afghanistan side, India’s next roadblock in the 50-overs format will be against the England side, as the Men in Blue will tour England next month for a white-ball series. The tour comprises T20Is and ODI games as the visitors will aim to carry forward their stupendous white-ball form against the Three Lions.

With the 2027 World Cup in mind, the India vs England ODI series will give the visitors a chance to test their playing combinations, as the English pitches will offer conditions similar to what the team will face in South Africa.

While the T20I squad for the England series was revealed by the BCCI, the ODI squad was surprisingly not revealed. Here is the reason why the 50-overs team was not picked alongside the other squads.

IND Vs ENG: Why the ODI squad was not announced

BCCI chief selector, Ajit Agarkar, and Secretary, Devajit Saikia, presented the Ireland, England T20I squad, the Asian Games team, and the India A squad for the Sri Lanka tour. However, with the England ODIs taking place next month, the team has not been revealed, and here is the reason why the team has yet to be announced.

The 2027 World Cup will be in the 50-overs format, and India’s two best white-ball batters, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, are injured. Both senior batters are key components for the World Cup next year, and the management wants them to play in every ODI series leading up to the marquee event.

Rohit sustained a hamstring injury in the IPL 2026 match vs RCB, and he has been asked to report to the BCCI Centre of Excellence, as the opener has not been given a fitness clearance.

Similarly, Virat Kohli, too, suffered a hamstring tear in the IPL final against the Gujarat Titans, and he is likely to miss 6 weeks of cricket as per the medical report.

Also Read: New Revelation On Virat Kohli's Injury

BCCI is awaiting Kohli and Rohit’s fitness status, and accordingly, the India ODI squad for England will be announced. In the press conference, Saikia stated that the ODI squad for the England series would be revealed midway through the Afghanistan ODI games. Hence, it is clear that the team has been put on standby due to the injuries to their two key batters.

Yashasvi Jaiswal replaces Virat Kohli in Afghanistan ODIs

Earlier, it was reported that Ruturaj Gaikwad would replace Kohli in the Afghanistan ODI series. The Indian great was ruled out of the ODIs due to a hamstring injury, and reports mentioned that the Maharashtra batter would be brought in Kohli’s place.

However, chief selector, Ajit Agarkar revealed that not Gaikwad but Mumbai batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal has been added in the ODI squad as Kohli’s replacement against the Afghanistan team.

Jaiswal, who is a regular in the India Test team, has played just four ODI matches for the Men in Blue, and the left-handed player has racked up 171 runs, including a solitary hundred.

The importance of Kohli-Rohit in ODI setup as BCCI delays team announcement

In the bouncy and fast pitches of South Africa, where the World Cup will take place, India needs experience, and they need players who have prior knowledge of performing there. Hence, the Men in Blue definitely need Kohli and Rohit to be one hundred percent fit for the marquee event.

Kohli has a stupendous record in South Africa and has multiple hundreds to showcase. Rohit, on the other hand, has struggled in South Africa, but the team needs a solid opener at the top, and there is no one who can replace him in the squad.

The BCCI have clear plans for both players, and hence, their fitness is a top priority for the management, and as a result, the ODI squad announcement was put on hold.

Also Read: Shreyas Iyer Captain, Hardik Pandya Out- India Squad for Asian Games Announced