Ruturaj Gaikwad has emerged as the leading contender to replace Virat Kohli in India’s ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Afghanistan if the senior batter fails to recover from a hamstring injury in time. According to reports, Kohli is unlikely to feature in the series after suffering the injury during the IPL 2026 final. The issue is understood to be relatively fresh, with medical staff advising him to take a couple of weeks off to ensure a full recovery.
With uncertainty surrounding Kohli’s availability, a report in the Indian Express suggested that selectors are considering Gaikwad as a like-for-like addition to the middle order. The Maharashtra batter recently replaced Riyan Parag in the India A squad, who was ruled out of the series due to a hamstring injury. The CSK skipper was also part of India’s ODI squad for the tour of South Africa, where he impressed with a century while batting in the middle order, further strengthening his case for a return to the senior setup.
Meanwhile, a promotion for Gaikwad could create an opening in the India A squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. The same report stated that Rajat Patidar is being considered as a replacement for Gaikwad. Fresh from leading Royal Challengers Bengaluru to their maiden IPL title, Patidar’s leadership credentials and consistent batting displays have reportedly caught the attention of the selectors ahead of the Sri Lanka assignment. The tri-nation comprising India A, Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A will start on June 9.
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Rohit Sharma’s fitness a concern too
Rohit Sharma’s fitness remains a key concern for the selectors despite his inclusion in the squad, which is subject to medical clearance. The veteran opener returned to action for the Mumbai Indians in the closing stages of the IPL after recovering from a hamstring injury, but he is yet to clear the BCCI’s mandatory fitness assessment. Adding to the uncertainty, Rohit has not reported to the Centre of Excellence for further rehabilitation and evaluation.
The selectors are closely monitoring his progress, as any setback could force a late change to the squad. In that scenario, Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to emerge as the frontrunner to replace him. The left-handed batter had served as India’s backup opening option in recent series and remains highly regarded by the team management. Although he was overlooked for the Afghanistan ODI squad, Jaiswal could find himself back in contention if Rohit fails to meet the required fitness standards in time.
