Former Indian cricketer Atul Wassan reckons Virat Kohli’s injury is a blessing in disguise ahead of the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan. Kohli suffered a hamstring injury in the IPL 2026 final against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, which ruled him out of the upcoming three ODIs. The RCB veteran scored 75 runs off just 42 balls in the summit clash to help his team chase 156 with ease.

Wassan said Kohli gives his 120% on the field and it is not important for him to play in all the ODI series ahead of the World Cup, in order to manage his workload.

Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as Kohli’s replacement for the series.

“I’m actually happy with this news about Virat Kohli missing this series against Afghanistan. I thought it would have been overkill if Virat played every single series going forward to the next World Cup. And I think, looking at the intensity on his body during the IPL and him playing in this heat at his age, I think it would have been pragmatic for him to actually take a backseat anyway,” he told ANI.

“But then I know the knives would have been out if Virat Kohli picked and chose. But I think if he’s got a niggle, he’s smart enough to know, and I think he won’t take a chance because we don’t want to take a chance with a genius like him,” he added.

Wassan said Jaiswal replacing Kohli is a win-win situation for India. Jaiswal didn’t have a great run in IPL 2026 and he would look to turn his form against Afghanistan.

“But imagine, Virat goes out, and Jaiswal comes in. Can you imagine the embarrassment of riches of Indian cricket? Even Yashasvi Jaiswal is not getting a place in a one-day team, and he gets to play. So I think it’s a win-win situation for India, and I’m not even a little bit bothered about Virat not playing, and I think it’s good news for me,” Atul Wassan concluded.

India will take on Afghanistan in the first ODI on 10th June.