India have suffered a major setback ahead of the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan, with Virat Kohli reportedly ruled out after sustaining a rare hamstring injury during the IPL 2026 final. The star batter picked up the injury while scoring an unbeaten 75 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad, an innings that earned him the Player of the Match award.
According to reports, scans have revealed that Kohli suffered a distal semimembranosus tendon tear, an uncommon injury affecting one of the three hamstring muscles. The semimembranosus muscle plays a crucial role in knee flexion and hip extension, making it an important component for movement, balance, and running between the wickets.
A BCCI source confirmed the nature of the injury while speaking to PTI. “He is out of the ODI series due to a hamstring injury. He got injured during the final. Scans have revealed a distal semimembranosus tendon tear.”
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What makes the injury particularly notable is its rarity. Most hamstring injuries in professional athletes occur either in the middle of the thigh or near the hip region during explosive movements such as sprinting. In Kohli’s case, the tear is located near the tendon’s attachment point behind the knee, an area that is generally well protected due to its strong and reinforced structure.
🚨 BREAKING: Virat Kohli Out for 2 Months with Rare Injury 🚨
Virat Kohli has been ruled out of cricket for two months after suffering a distal semimembranosus tendon tear—a rare hamstring injury behind the knee.
He will miss the upcoming ODI series against Afghanistan and… pic.twitter.com/kaDyXC21od
— Cricket Central (@CricketCentrl) June 4, 2026
Medical experts consider this type of injury unusual because the tendon is thick, deeply anchored to the bone, and less susceptible to tearing compared to other hamstring areas. Lower hamstring injuries are also relatively uncommon, and when they do occur, they typically affect a different muscle group.
Despite the concern surrounding the diagnosis, the recovery timeline appears encouraging. According to reports, Kohli is expected to be sidelined for approximately two weeks. That would rule him out of the first two ODIs against Afghanistan in Dharamsala and Lucknow.
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While he could technically return for the third ODI in Chennai, the BCCI is reportedly unwilling to rush him back, preferring to prioritize his long-term fitness. In Kohli’s absence, Ruturaj Gaikwad is expected to be named as his replacement in the Indian squad, with an official announcement likely in the coming days.
