Virat Kohli, known for his excellent fitness and rarely missing matches, has been going through a hard time by facing multiple setbacks in the early year.
During the 1st ODI INDIA V/S ENGLAND in Nagpur, Virat Kohli was not named in the XI. Later, Rohit Sharma announced that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana will debut in his place. Yashasvi Jaiswal made his ODI debut, opening the innings with captain Rohit Sharma. And Shubman Gill batted at no. 3 in Kohli’s absence.
Team India defeated the England team by four wickets in the 1st ODI. Players like Shubman Gill, Axar Patel, and Shreyas Iyer played crucial roles in this chase, helping India reach the target of 249 with over 11 overs to spare.
Virat Kohli’s 2025 year has begun with injury concerns. Earlier this year, Virat Kohli first encountered injury issues during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in January 2025, suffering a neck sprain that required an immediate injection for relief. Kohli was expected to play in Delhi’s Ranji Trophy match against Saurashtra but skipped it due to the effects of lingering injuries. He played in the next game against Railways but struggled to perform.
In the 1st ODI, he missed the match against England due to a right knee issue. This leads to raising major concerns among the fans and the future of the Indian cricket team since the ICC Champion Trophy, which is making its return after eight years, is around the corner.
Seasoned Player Shubman Gill tried to dismiss any concerns about Virat Kohli’s injury, stating that the king (Virat Kohli) will be returning for the 2nd ODI in Cuttack. Yashasvi Jaiswal replaced Kohli in the lineup, and India won the match by 4 wickets, with Gill scoring 87 runs while batting at No.3. Gill explained that Kohli had some knee swelling on the morning of the match
but was fine during the previous day’s practice. He assured fans that Kohli would be ready for the next game. “When he woke up in the morning, he had some swelling in his knee. He was fine till yesterday’s practice session. There is nothing to worry about. He will definitely be fit for the next game.” Gill said at the end of the match day.
Gill also noted that he didn’t need to make significant adjustments as he usually bats at No.3 in Test matches.
“I think I play at no.3 in Test matches, so it wasn’t a huge adjustment. But definitely, the situation is slightly different. If you are batting at no. 3 and early wickets fall, you have to play according to the situation. However, if the openers have built a good partnership, then you have to carry that momentum forward. That was my thought process—to bat according to the situation and the over in which I had to come in,” said Gill.
With Gill’s reassurance, it appears that Virat Kohli will likely be fit to play in the 2nd ODI.
Kohli’s last missed ODI due to injury was in the year 2022 against England at The Oval, where he had a groin strain. He was seen moving carefully during practice sessions with his right knee strapped.
Virat Kohli, also part of India’s Champions Trophy squad, is just 94 runs away from becoming the third player to reach 14,000 runs in ODI cricket. To date, only two players have been able to reach the mark: Sachin Tendulkar from India and Kumar Sangakkara from Sri Lanka. The Indian team management will follow closely the return to fitness of Virat Kohli so that the country is completely prepared for the Champions Trophy.
Meanwhile, Kohli may have started 2025 year on an injury-prone note but is a vital component for India in the ICC event. The eventual return to form from injuries will decide India’s chances of winning in the upcoming events.
India and England will face off in the 2nd ODI in Cuttack on February 9.
