Virat Kohli out of action for extended period? India coach provides injury update
Published - 08 Feb 2025, 05:49 PM | Updated - 08 Feb 2025, 06:28 PM
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India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, has confirmed that Virat Kohli is fit and raring to go in the second ODI of the ongoing three-match ODI series against England. Notably, Virat Kohli missed the first ODI in Nagpur, where India beat England by four wickets, due to knee issues.
The BCCI had stated before the Nagpur ODI: “Virat Kohli was unavailable for selection for the 1st ODI due to a sore right knee.” While Rohit Sharma revealed that Virat had experienced the knee problem the night before the first ODI against England.
Notably, the former Indian captain had a bandage around his right knee and was seen walking carefully at the VCA Stadium. However, the former Indian skipper is now fit to take the field in the second ODI in Cuttack against England, starting on February 9.
Sitanshu Kotak confirms Virat Kohli's availability for the second ODI against England
On the eve of the second ODI, Sitanshu Kotak confirmed that Virat Kohli is fully fit and ready to play in Cuttack, dismissing any concerns about the star batter's fitness. Sitanshu Kotak said in the pre-match press conference on Saturday, February 8, as quoted by PTI: “Virat Kohli is fit to play. He has come for practice and is good to go.”
India’s batting coach also addressed the team's early collapse in Nagpur. Kotak admitted that the early setbacks were not good, but he praised the resilience of Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, and Axar Patel, who steered the innings at an impressive run rate of 9-10 RPO against England.
The coach stated, “Yes, we lost early wickets, and it happens, but the way Gill, Shreyas, and Axar batted, we were going at 9-10 RPO.”
However, Kotak kept tight lips when asked who would be dropped between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer from the playing eleven as Kohli is returning for the second ODI against England. He said, “It is the captain’s (Rohit Sharma’s) and coach’s (Gautam Gambhir’s) call. I can’t answer this.”
Virat Kohli set to join elite 14,000-run club in ODI cricket during England series
Meanwhile, Kohli is on the cusp of achieving a remarkable feat in the upcoming ODIs. The 36-year-old now needs only 94 runs to become the only third batter to reach 14,000 runs in ODI cricket. If Virat manages 94 runs in the ongoing England series, he would join the legends of the game like Sachin Tendulkar (18,426) and Kumar Sangakkara (14,234).
Kohli also has the chance to become the fastest batter to achieve this milestone, as he has played only 283 innings in ODIs so far, while Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara reached the 14,000 runs mark in 350 innings and 378 innings, respectively, in the 50-over format.
Virat Kohli has disappointing ODI record in Cuttack
However, the right-handed batter’s record is not good in Cuttack, where he has so far played four ODIs and amassed only 118 runs at an average of less than 30. His best score at the venue is 85, which he made against the West Indies.
Interestingly, Kohli’s first ODI match in Cuttack was also against the West Indies, and he was dismissed for just 3 runs. His other two appearances in Cuttack saw him scoring 22 runs against Sri Lanka in 2014 and 8 runs against England in 2017.
