Kohli Sidelined for First ODI Against England
Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the first ODI against England in Nagpur due to a knee injury sustained during a training session on the eve of the match.
Captain Rohit Sharma confirmed at the toss that Kohli injured his right knee during Wednesday’s practice session, forcing a last-minute change to India’s playing XI.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana Make Their ODI Debuts
With Kohli unavailable, Yashasvi Jaiswal was included in the playing XI, making his ODI debut alongside bowling all-rounder Harshit Rana.
- Jaiswal was slotted to open the innings with Rohit Sharma, as per the official team sheet.
- Shubman Gill, who would have opened in Kohli’s presence, was listed at No. 4.
- However, the final batting order remains flexible.
India lost the toss and are bowling first in Nagpur.
India’s Last ODI Series Before Champions Trophy
This three-match series against England marks India’s final ODI assignment before the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.
- India last played ODI cricket in August 2024, when they lost a bilateral series 2-0 against Sri Lanka, with one match ending in a tie.
- The team will look to fine-tune their squad before the global tournament.
Kohli’s Form Under Scrutiny Ahead of Major Milestone
Kohli’s form has been a talking point in recent months.
- During India’s recent tour of Australia, he struggled, frequently edging deliveries to the wicketkeeper or slip cordon.
- To regain rhythm, he trained with former India and RCB batting coach Sanjay Bangar and played a Ranji Trophy match for Delhi, his first since 2012.
- However, he managed just 6 runs against Railways, getting bowled early.
Despite his struggles, ODIs remain Kohli’s strongest format. He is just 94 runs away from becoming the third batter in history to reach 14,000 ODI runs, after Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.
Once he reaches the landmark, Kohli will also become the fastest to achieve the milestone.
Will Kohli Be Fit for the Next Matches?
Kohli’s availability for the remaining two ODIs remains uncertain. Team India will be hoping for a quick recovery, as his experience and form will be crucial ahead of the Champions Trophy.
Can India bounce back without Kohli? Stay tuned for updates on his fitness and India’s performance in the series!
