Updated:2025-02-11 16:02Views:188
India's Virat Kohli attends a training session ahead of the second one-day international cricket match between India and England in Cuttack. AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool India's Virat Kohli attends a training session ahead of the second one-day international cricket match between India and England in Cuttack. AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool Star Indian batter Virat Kohli has recovered from his knee discomfort and is set to feature in the second ODI against England at the Barabati Stadium on Sundayhot646, February 9. (More Cricket News)
play slots for real moneyIndia's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, confirmed Kohli’s availability, stating that the experienced right-hander has resumed training and is fully fit to take the field.
"Kohli is fit to play. He has come for practice and is good to go," Kotak told the media on the eve of the match.
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Kohli had missed the series opener in Nagpur due to swelling in his right knee, leading to a last-minute reshuffle in India’s playing XI. Shreyas Iyer was drafted in unexpectedly and made the most of the opportunity, scoring a crucial half-century. Meanwhile, young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal made his debut alongside captain Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, while Shubman Gill, usually an opener, was slotted in at No. 3.
With Kohli returning, India faces a selection dilemma regarding who will make way for the former captain. If Jaiswal is benched, Gill could move up to open,megapanalo casino leaving Kohli to bat at his preferred No. 3 position.
However, given Iyer’s solid knock in the first game, team management might have to make a tough call on whether to retain him or stick with Jaiswal at the top. Head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Rohit Sharma will have the final say on the playing XI.
The first ODI saw India cruise to a comfortable four-wicket victory with 68 balls to spare, thanks to a dominant performance from the batting unit. Gill led the charge with a fluent 87, ensuring an easy chase for the Men in Blue.
With Kohli back, India will aim to wrap up the series with a win in Cuttack, which would be a significant boost ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, starting February 19.
Kohli's record at the Barabati Stadium is modest by his standards. In four ODI innings at the venue, he has accumulated 118 runs at an average of 29.50, with a highest score of 85.
However, with just 94 runs needed to become the third player in history to reach 14,000 ODI runs—after Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara—he will be eager to make an impact.
After a below-par Test series in Australia, where he struggled against pace and was repeatedly dismissed edging behind the stumps, Kohli took time off to work with former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar. He also played a rare Ranji Trophy match for Delhi, marking his first appearance in domestic first-class cricket since 2012.
ODIs remain Kohli’s strongest format, and his return to the playing XI is a significant boost for India. With a chance to seal the series in Cuttackhot646, all eyes will be on the 35-year-old as he looks to make a statement ahead of a crucial year in international cricket.
