Stunning Revelation!! Aakash Chopra reveals who will make way for Virat Kohli's return in 2nd ODI

Former India player Aakash Chopra raised the question of who should be dropped to make space for Virat Kohli in the playing XI for the second ODI against England. Chopra pointed out that the Indian team management had a game plan of having a left-right combination at the top order during the first ODI.

Team India will take on England in the second ODI of the three-match series at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday, February 9. Virat Kohli was ruled out of the series opener in Nagpur, but India still managed to secure a four-wicket win. Kohli is expected to return to the lineup for the upcoming match.

Shreyas Iyer Wouldn't Have Played - Aakash Chopra

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that Iyer would have been left out in the first ODI if Kohli had been fit. Chopra also raised concerns about Shubman Gill's place in the lineup after the return of Kohli, who usually bats at No. 3 in ODIs.

"Kohli fit, Kohli in, but who goes out? That's the big question because if Kohli had been fit in the last match, Shreyas Iyer wouldn't have played. It means the team's game plan was to have Yashasvi with Rohit (Sharma), a left-right combination. So where would (Shubman) Gill have played and what will they do now?" he said (0:01).

Virat Kohli Never Misses Matches Because of Fitness - Aakash Chopra

The former Indian batter highlighted that Virat Kohli rarely misses matches due to fitness issues. Aakash Chopra stated that Kohli had a neck issue in January, which caused him to miss the Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra.

"Virat Kohli not playing in the last match hurt you a little as he never misses matches because of fitness. He is very rarely unfit. He had a neck issue in January, and that's why he didn't play the Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra. After that, something happened in his knee when he was about to play here," he observed.

We Came to Know Later Who Played in His Place - Aakash Chopra

The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted that Shreyas Iyer's impressive performance makes it difficult for the team management to decide between him and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Chopra stated that it initially seemed like Jaiswal replaced Kohli in the lineup before Iyer revealed dressing room secrets.

"We came to know later who played in his place. We all felt Yashasvi had been played in his place and made to open for one match. However, Shreyas Iyer revealed that he was watching a movie and got a phone call to get ready as Virat Kohli wouldn't play. He was ready and hit a lot. What will happen now?" Chopra elaborated.

Shreyas Iyer played a crucial role in India's victory in the first ODI. The right-handed batter scored a quickfire 59 off 36 balls when the team was struggling at 19/2. On the other hand, Yashasvi Jaiswal looked unsettled at the crease and could only manage 15 runs from 22 balls.

Iyer might be unlucky if he has to make way for Virat. The batter has been a consistent performer in ODIs, with an impressive average of 47.69 and a strike rate of 102.14 across 63 matches.

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