New Delhi: It’s rare for Virat Kohli to miss a match due to injury, but the star batter had no choice but to sit out the first ODI against England because of a knee issue. Kohli was seen with heavy strapping on his knee during practice before the series opener, but after returning to the hotel, some swelling was noticed. This prompted the team management, including captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir, to prepare a backup plan, with Shreyas Iyer stepping in. Following Virat’s absence in the first ODI, a significant update has now emerged regarding the second match.
The 3-match ODI series against England is viewed as a crucial preparatory series for the upcoming Champions Trophy. Virat Kohli, who has struggled for form over the past year, is eager to regain his touch and find some consistency before the prestigious tournament.
According to a report in the Times of India, Virat Kohli is expected to be fit and available for selection in the second ODI against England. This development presents a significant selection dilemma for captain Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir.
“His right knee was fine during practice, but once we got back to the hotel, it swelled up,” a team insider told the Times of India. “It doesn’t seem that bad, though. He will likely play in the Cuttack ODI.”
The last time Virat Kohli missed a game due to injury was in 2022, when an upper back spasm forced him to sit out a Test match against South Africa. Prior to that, in 2021, a stiff back issue had caused him to miss a warm-up match against Select County XI.
In Kohli’s absence, Shreyas Iyer stepped in for the first ODI in Nagpur and made an immediate impact, scoring a brilliant 59 off 36 balls. If Kohli is fit to return for the second ODI, the big question remains: Will Iyer be dropped to the bench despite his standout performance on Thursday?
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