Will Virat Kohli play in the second ODI between India and England?

Virat Kohli was ruled out of the first ODI between India and England that was played in Nagpur on February 6. His absence paved the way for Shreyas Iyer to play at no. 4, and he stroked a brilliant 59 runs, setting the platform for India to chase down 248 runs.

Ahead of the game, everyone was excited about the return of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to the ODI format, a place they have dominated, especially after their exploits in India’s run to the final of the ICC World Cup in 2023.

Kohli had made 765 runs with 3 centuries and 5 fifties, while Rohit Sharma made 597 runs with one century in the ICC World Cup 2023. One of the outstanding things about Virat Kohli was his fitness even at the age of 36.

For 1,130 days, Virat Kohli has been immune to the wear and tear that would sideline even the most tenacious athletes. Until Thursday. Kohli arrived at Jamtha with his right knee firmly bandaged in preparation for India's first ODI against England.

He moved at a slightly lower intensity and hobbled a little, with physio Kamlesh Jain keeping a careful eye on him. However, it did not appear like the injury would keep him out. It was hoped that he would be able to play in Nagpur, but those hopes were dashed as Yashasvi Jaiswal got his India ODI cap.

At the toss, Rohit Sharma confirmed the worst and revealed that Kohli would miss the game due to a knee injury.

Will Virat Kohli play in the second ODI against England in Cuttack?

Virat Kohli’s return to India's blue colors will have to wait as India and England will now face each other in the second ODI in Cuttack on February 9. Kohli’s injury is not only a concern for India for the upcoming match but also for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

According to sources inside the team's support staff, the decision to rest Kohli was made late Wednesday night.

"His right knee was fine during practice, but once we got back to the hotel, it swelled up,” a source told the Times of India.

The 36-year-old has not yet undergone scans. Kohli’s knee issue does not appear to be serious. According to multiple media reports, the Indian batter is expected to be fit for selection in the second ODI.

"It doesn't seem that bad, though. He will play the Cuttack ODI in all likelihood," he added.

Kohli last missed a game due to injury in 2022, when an upper back spasm prevented him from playing a Test against South Africa. Before that, in 2021, a stiff back forced him to miss a warm-up match versus Select County XI.

In 2017, he missed the fourth Test against Australia because a courageous attempt to stop a boundary in Ranchi left him with a right shoulder injury.

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