2nd ODI | India vs Afghanistan ODI Series 2026 | Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow | 17 June 2026

Virat Kohli’s hamstring injury has ruled him out of India’s entire three-match ODI series against Afghanistan, and his absence has turned No. 3 into the most consequential selection question of this series. KL Rahul filled the role in the 1st ODI at Dharamsala, but Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kohli’s official squad replacement, was kept on the bench despite a century in only four ODI appearances to his name. Lucknow is where India decides whether that stays the same.

Kohli Ruled Out: What the Hamstring Injury Means 

Kohli’s hamstring injury, sustained during Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL 2026 title run, has ruled him out of the series against Afghanistan. Ajit Agarkar, India’s chairman of selectors, confirmed the absence before the series began, noting that Kohli’s return timeline is unclear but that he could be available for the England ODI series starting July 14. Jaiswal was named as his squad replacement. 

Kohli scored 675 runs at an average of 56.25 in IPL 2026, his best IPL season, before the injury struck. He had been earmarked to bat at No. 3 for India in ODIs, a position he has made his own since the 2023 World Cup. 

IND vs AFG 2nd ODI 2026 Playing XI Kohli Injury 

KL Rahul slotted in at No. 3 in Kohli’s absence, with Shreyas Iyer at No. 4 and Ishan Kishan keeping wicket at No. 5. Jaiswal, despite being Kohli’s official replacement, stayed on the bench. The question for Lucknow is whether that order holds.

The selection puzzle really comes down to Rahul against Jaiswal, since nothing in Iyer’s record points to a move up the order. 

Shreyas Iyer at No. 3: The Logical Move or a Disruption? 

Shreyas Iyer is not the answer at No. 3. His ODI career has been built around the No. 4 role, where he carries a career average of 51.12 from 73 ODIs, playing his best cricket after the powerplay when the field spreads. Moving him up would disrupt a settled order and remove the buffer India needs if an opener falls cheaply. 

Against Afghanistan’s spin-heavy attack of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad, Iyer’s ability to manipulate spin at No. 4 with fewer fielders in the circle is more valuable than an earlier arrival. Selectors recognised this in the 1st ODI by keeping Iyer at No. 4 with Kohli absent. That should not change in Lucknow. 

Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Chance to Bat Higher in the Order 

Jaiswal is the compelling alternative. Kohli’s official squad replacement has scored an unbeaten 116 against South Africa in Visakhapatnam in December 2025, his last ODI innings, and averages above 58 across four ODI appearances. He is naturally an opener in domestic formats, and India could deploy him at No. 3 as a like-for-like replacement for Kohli’s attacking intent in the middle overs. 

Rahul’s 39 not out off 19 balls in the 1st ODI chase was composed, but his wicketkeeping role is also in question. If Ishan Kishan retains the gloves, Rahul could shift to No. 3, and Jaiswal stays on the bench. 

Rashid Khan’s Threat at No. 3 

Whoever bats at No. 3 in Lucknow faces Rashid Khan at his most dangerous: middle overs, a packed off-side field, and variations difficult to read at pace. Rashid combines the wrong-un with a flat googly that foxes batters trying to sweep. Jaiswal, as a left-hander, would face Rashid’s angle drifting into the stumps, a different threat than what right-handers see. Rahul, as a right-hander, faces the traditional delivery drifting away. The IND vs AFG 2nd ODI 2026 playing XI Kohli injury debate ultimately reduces to one fact: whoever occupies No. 3 walks into the best spell a spinner will bowl all match.                                                                        

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FAQs

Is Virat Kohli playing in India vs Afghanistan 2nd ODI 2026?

Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the entire three-match ODI series against Afghanistan due to a hamstring injury sustained during IPL 2026. Ajit Agarkar confirmed there is no clear return timeline, though Kohli could be fit for India’s England ODI series beginning July 14. 

Who bats at No. 3 for India in ODIs after Kohli’s injury?

KL Rahul batted at No. 3 in the 1st ODI against Afghanistan at Dharamsala, with Shreyas Iyer holding his place at No. 4. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Kohli’s squad replacement, is the other option, averaging over 58 across four ODI appearances, including a 116* against South Africa. 

How did the 1st ODI between India and Afghanistan unfold in 2026?

A seven-wicket win at Dharamsala took the 1st ODI, the 194-run chase done in 22.5 overs. Afghanistan leaned on Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who blasted 102 off 51 balls, but debut wickets from Harsh Dubey (3/47) and Gurnoor Brar pulled things back, and Shubman Gill anchored the chase unbeaten on 84. 

What is Shreyas Iyer’s ODI batting average at No. 3?

Shreyas Iyer has played the overwhelming majority of his 73 ODIs at No. 4, where he averages 51.12. His ODI average at No. 3 sits at approximately 46 from limited appearances, and there is no indication that selectors plan to move him up against Afghanistan.