Virat Kohli’s presence at Barabati Stadium electrified the crowd as he walked onto the field for an intense net session. Though it wasn’t match day, the stadium was packed, with local authorities allowing fans to witness their cricketing icon in action. Aware of the countless cameras capturing his every move, Kohli focused on his batting while Gautam Gambhir observed from the top of the nets.
Kohli had missed the previous match in Nagpur due to a minor injury. Before that, his last competitive appearance was in the Ranji Trophy for Delhi, where he managed just six runs before getting dismissed by Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan. His recent tour of Australia had also been challenging, with repeated dismissals outside the off-stump.
Determined to refine his technique, Kohli worked diligently, adjusting his footwork and shot selection. He avoided risky strokes, maintaining a balanced stance and a controlled backlift, leaving deliveries outside the fifth or sixth stump without hesitation.
Virat Kohli Declared Fit for Second ODI Against England
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed that Virat Kohli is set to play in the second ODI against England, led by Jos Buttler, on Sunday, February 9, at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Kotak assured that Kohli had fully recovered.
“Virat Kohli is fit to play. He has attended practice and is ready to go,” Kotak stated.
The 36-year-old had missed the first ODI on February 6 at Nagpur’s VCA Stadium due to a right knee injury, allowing Shreyas Iyer to step in. Meanwhile, Shubman Gill, who was named Player of the Match in Nagpur, also confirmed Kohli’s recovery.
“He had some swelling in his knee when he woke up, but he was fine during the previous practice session. There’s nothing to worry about, he will be fit for the next game,” Gill said.
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Who Will Sit Out if Virat Kohli Returns?
India secured a four-wicket win in the first ODI, but if Virat Kohli returns for the next match, the team may need to adjust their playing XI. Shreyas Iyer is likely to keep his spot after his match-winning knock of 59 runs off 36 balls, which included nine boundaries and two sixes.
During India’s chase of 249, early wickets of Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal put the team under pressure. However, Iyer’s quick-fire fifty off just 30 balls provided the momentum India needed. His crucial 93-run partnership with Shubman Gill (87 off 96 balls) helped stabilize the innings.
If Kohli plays on Sunday, Jaiswal might be the one to miss out, allowing Gill to open alongside Rohit Sharma. With the series now shifting to Cuttack, India will aim to secure a series win and build confidence ahead of the much-anticipated Champions Trophy, starting on February 19.
Why Virat Kohli’s Return is Crucial for India?
Virat Kohli’s presence in the batting lineup is essential, especially with the team adopting a more flexible approach. Given Gautam Gambhir’s clear preference for left-right batting pairs, Kohli’s role becomes even more significant alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja. His experience and stability provide a solid foundation for a team that is moving away from a fixed batting strategy.
A key decision for India will be how they structure their batting order, particularly with Shubman Gill at No.3 and Kohli at No.4. In the ODI format, the team can afford two traditional batters at the top, but role clarity is crucial to maintain momentum throughout the innings.
With two matches remaining in the series, Kohli is just 94 runs away from becoming the third player in ODI history to reach 14,000 runs, following Sachin Tendulkar (18,426) and Kumar Sangakkara (14,234). If he achieves this milestone in his 283rd innings, he will surpass Tendulkar (350 innings) and Sangakkara (378 innings) as the fastest to reach this feat.
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FAQs
Q.1. Why did Virat Kohli miss the first ODI against England?
Ans. Kohli missed the first ODI due to a right knee injury but has now been declared fit for the second match in Cuttack.
Q.2. Who might be dropped if Virat Kohli plays the second ODI?
Ans. Yashasvi Jaiswal is likely to sit out, with Shubman Gill moving up to open alongside Rohit Sharma.
Q.3. How many runs does Virat Kohli need to reach 14,000 in ODIs?
Ans. Kohli needs 94 more runs to become the third player in history to achieve this milestone.
Q.4. Will Virat Kohli break Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the fastest 14,000 ODI runs?
Ans. Yes, if Kohli reaches 14,000 runs in this series, he will surpass Tendulkar’s record in fewer innings.
Q.5. What is India’s strategy for the second ODI against England?
Ans. With Kohli back, India aims to strengthen their middle order and secure a series win before the Champions Trophy.
