Virat Kohli missed the first ODI between India and England at Nagpur due to a sore right knee. Here’s the latest injury update about the mercurial batter before the second match.
Kohli was forced out of the series opener on Thursday (February 7) due to an injury on his right knee sustained during practice on the eve of the match. He was replaced by Yashasvi Jaiswal, who made his ODI debut along with Harshit Rana.
Virat Kohli and injury: What's been the track record so far?
Known to brought up fitness standards in Indian cricket, Kohli has hardly missed matches due to injury throughout his 16-year international career. The last time he missed one was back in 2022, in a Test match against South Africa, when he had to sit out due to a back spasm. That year, he also missed an ODI against England due to a groin injury.
Before that, a stiff back ruled him out of a warm-up against Select County XI in 2021. In 2017, with the Test series on the line against Australia, India decided to rest their captain, who hurt his shoulder while trying to make a diving stop in Ranchi.
Last month, he reportedly suffered from a neck strain ahead of his much-awaited Ranji Trophy return, and also took injections for it.
Virat Kohli injury status: What's the latest?
After India's comprehensive win in the first match, vice-captain Gill revealed that Kohli's injury is nothing serious and he is set to play the next match in Cuttack starting February 9.
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"When he woke up in the morning, he had some swelling in his knee. He was fine till yesterday's practice session. There's nothing to worry about. He will definitely be fit for the next game," Gill said.
According to a Times of India report, Kohli, in all likelihood, will play in Cuttack and his injury is a minor one.
"His right knee was fine during practice, but once we got back to the hotel, it swelled up," a source told TOI. "It doesn't seem that bad, though. He will play the Cuttack ODI in all likelihood."
The report added that Kohli is yet to undergo scans. It remains to be seen whether he heads to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru or directly joins the team in Cuttack.
The update comes as a huge relief for India ahead of the ICC 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, which starts from February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai. While Kohli’s form has been under the scanner following a middling Test tour of Australia, the ODI is one format where he finds himself at home.
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