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Atul Wassan, a former cricketer for India, has described Virat Kohli's absence from the upcoming three-match ODI series against Afghanistan as a beneficial scenario for the Indian team. He believes this situation allows for better management of Kohli's workload as the team prepares for the 2027 ODI World Cup, while also providing young talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal a chance to shine.

The ODI series against Afghanistan is scheduled from June 13 to June 20, following a one-off Test that commenced on June 6. Kohli will miss this series due to a hamstring injury he sustained during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's successful IPL 2026 campaign last month.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced via Instagram that Yashasvi Jaiswal will step in for the injured Kohli in the ODI series.

In a conversation with a news outlet, Wassan expressed his approval of Kohli's absence, stating, "I believe it would have been excessive for Kohli to participate in every series leading up to the next World Cup. Considering the physical demands he faced during the IPL and the heat, it makes sense for him to take a break at this stage of his career."

He emphasized that resting Kohli is crucial to prevent injuries and fatigue, adding, "While some may criticize Kohli for selectively participating, he is wise enough to recognize when to step back. We must protect a player of his caliber."

Wassan further noted that Kohli's absence opens doors for emerging players like Jaiswal. He remarked, "We need to be strategic about managing our key players like Bumrah and Kohli, especially with the next World Cup in mind. The depth of talent in Indian cricket is impressive; even a player like Jaiswal, who has yet to secure a spot in the ODI team, will now get his chance. This is a win-win for India, and I am not concerned about Kohli's absence at all."

Looking ahead to the England tour, Wassan believes Kohli's presence will be essential for team morale, stating, "As we prepare for the England series, having Kohli back will be crucial to unify the team, making this situation ideal for us."

Currently, Kohli is focused solely on ODI cricket, having retired from T20Is and Test matches. His last appearance was during the home series against New Zealand in January. In the IPL, he was the fourth-highest run-scorer, amassing 675 runs in 16 innings with an impressive average of 56.25 and a strike rate of 165.84, including a century and five fifties, with a top score of 105*.

Jaiswal made his ODI debut against England in February 2025 and has played four matches since. He achieved his first ODI century with an unbeaten 116 against South Africa in December 2025.