Virat Kohli suffered an injury to his right knee on Wednesday’s practice and was therefore put out from the first one-day-international between India and England at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
However, the injury to senior batter Virat Kohli ahead of Thursday’s first ODI against England here may turn out to be a minor setback for India, as the injury does not seem serious, and the former Indian captain is expected to be there in the next match. Although both the Indian team management and Kohli himself would feel disappointed on missing out on a chance to play the match, the injury seems minor. The Board of Control for Cricket in India has actually confirmed that Kohli was absent from selection for the first ODI in Nagpur because of a sore right knee.
Kohli got off the bus and onto the field with his teammates soon after they arrived at the stadium, warming up for the first ODI but this time with a strapping or kneecap on his right knee. This shows that the injury is not very serious and during the match continuum will not require him to miss more matches.
There were also some unconfirmed reports early in the morning that all-rounder Hardik Pandya was taken to the hospital Wednesday night after he complained of stomach pain. However, the Indian team management did not confirm anything. Pandya was eventually named in the team, and it was Kohli who was eventually rested.
Kohli’s absence had little impact in the end, since Shubman Gill guided India to victory by four wickets against England after strong bowling from the hosts. Chasing a target of 249 without Kohli, India lost its openers early. But Shreyas Iyer, who made 59, fought back, adding 94 with Gill, who scored 87, as India chased down the target with 11.2 overs to spare.
Hardik Pandya and Virat Kohli moment🥹❤️pic.twitter.com/65kBk74ame
— Rohan Gangta (@rohan_gangta) February 6, 2025
Kohli and Pandya, along with their ever-energetic companion Ravindra Jadeja, were seen celebrating the commanding victory as the trio gave India a 1-0 lead in a three-match series to warm up for the Champions Trophy.
The second ODI is set for Cuttack on Sunday, and the last one will take place in Ahmedabad on February 12. After that, the eight-team Champions Trophy is under way starting on February 19 in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.
