Virat Kohli’s Fitness Status Revealed Before 2nd ODI vs England In Cuttack

Virat Kohli’s absence was a huge highlight during the opening ODI of the three-match series against England at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. It was the 25th time the veteran missed an ODI game for India in the last five years.

Kohli walked with a strapped knee before the toss but hardly had an impression of missing out on the encounter. The fans of the ground, who were watching an international game after nearly six years, couldn’t enjoy their superstar batter’s performance with the bat.

India’s newly built top and middle over in Nagpur

Due to Kohli’s absence, India got to hand Yashasvi Jaiswal an ODI debut. The left-handed found a good chance to get around the side’s 50-over format at the opening position. Shubman Gill walked at number three and carried the side over the line with the Player of the Match show of 87 runs in 96 deliveries.

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Shreyas Iyer got the promotion to bat at number four. When the blue brigade was two down early during their 249-run chase, losing both their opening batters, Iyer displayed his aggressive batting with 59 runs in 36 balls. The right-handed batter cracked nine boundaries and two sixes.

Axar Patel found himself at number five in the batting order, as captain Rohit Sharma elaborated on their wish to have a left-hander in the middle order. The Gujarat-born smacked 52 runs in 47 balls as the home side chased down the score with four wickets and more than 10 overs to spare.

Virat Kohli is fit to play the second Cuttack ODI

It was one of the rarest moments when India, despite losing early wickets in a chase, showed incredible calmness even with no Virat Kohli. But the fit Delhi-born will play the second game of the series at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.

“Kohli is fit, yes, he is practicing with us today. He is good to go.” India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, confirmed his availability on the eve of the encounter.

The 36-year-old trained with the squad for an hour on February 08 as several spectators made their presence on the ground. He began with short sprits, without strapping on his legs, and showed comfortable movement. After running for 7-8 minutes, he batted in the nets and didn’t seem restricted in his footwork.

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With Virat Kohli being fit and available, it remains to see the changes the management brings in their batting line-up for the second clash. In all likelihood, Jaiswal will make way. Rohit and Gill can pair up for the opening partnership. Shreyas is unlikely to find himself on the bench, but if he does, then Kohli and Gill could bat at number three and four respectively.

Virat Kohli aims to return to form

Virat Kohli hasn’t played an ODI game since the third ODI against Sri Lanka last year in August. The ongoing series will be the last 50-over assignment for them before the start of the Champions Trophy 2025, which begins on February 19.

He spent a lot of time with the former Indian and RCB batting coach, Sanjay Bangar before his rarest return to the Delhi side in the Ranji Trophy clash against Railways at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He is only 94 runs away from becoming the first batter and fastest to reach 140000 ODI runs.

All of India’s games in the ICC event will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, and Virat Kohli has yet to play an ODI at that ground.