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Virat Kohli Set to Return for Second ODI Against England
India’s star batter, Virat Kohli, is fit and available for selection in the upcoming second One Day International (ODI) against England in Cuttack. Kohli had missed the series opener due to a right knee injury sustained during training prior to the first ODI in Kanpur.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak provided an update on Kohli’s status, stating, “Virat Kohli is fit to play. He has come for practice and is good to go.” The final decision regarding Kohli’s inclusion in the playing XI will be made by captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir.
India vs England: Kohli’s Anticipated Return
In Kohli’s absence during the first ODI, India’s batting lineup performed admirably, with notable contributions from Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, leading to a comfortable victory over England and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Kohli’s return is timely as he approaches a significant milestone in his ODI career, needing just 94 runs to reach 14,000 career runs in the format. His last ODI appearance was during India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2024. Prior to that, he was the top scorer in the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, amassing 765 runs from 11 games, including three centuries and six fifty-plus scores. This performance broke the previous record for most runs in a single Men’s Cricket World Cup, held by Sachin Tendulkar.
Kohli’s Milestone in ODI Cricket
As India aims to secure the series with a win in the second ODI, Kohli’s experience and form will be pivotal. His return not only bolsters the batting lineup but also provides a psychological advantage against the visitors.
The cricketing community eagerly awaits Kohli’s performance, anticipating that he will continue to add to his illustrious career and contribute significantly to India’s success in the series.
