India's batting coach confirms Virat Kohli's availability for 2nd ODI
What's the story
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has confirmed Virat Kohli's availability for the second ODI against England.
Kotak provided an update on Kohli's fitness in the pre-match press conference while stating, "Virat Kohli is fit to play. He has come for practice and is good to go."
The match is set to take place on Sunday, February 9 at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack.
Meanwhile, this comes after Kohli missed the first ODI due to a right knee injury.
Here's more.
Team strategy
Iyer's performance may influence team selection
India's four-wicket win in the first ODI was heavily aided by Shreyas Iyer's heroics.
He scored a match-winning 59 off 36 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.
This performance could affect team selection for the second ODI, with Iyer likely to keep his place even if Kohli returns.
The last time Kohli missed a game due to injury was in 2022 when a back spasm ruled him out of a Test match against South Africa.
Line-up changes
Kohli's return could prompt changes in opening pair
If Kohli returns for the second ODI, Yashasvi Jaiswal might have to make way for him.
This could see Gill open the batting with Rohit Sharma.
Meanwhile, the Indian team would be looking to seal the series in Cuttack and gain confidence ahead of the Champions Trophy, which begins on February 19.
Notably, despite his recent injury, Kohli was the highest run-scorer at the 2023 ODI World Cup with 765 runs in 11 innings.
Numbers
A look at Kohli's ODI and Champions Trophy numbers
Across 295 ODIs, Kohli has amassed a whopping 13,906 runs at an average of 58.18.
Additionally, he also owns a strike rate of 93.54, alongside his 50 tons and 72 half-centuries in the format.
His highest ODI score reads 183, (vs Pakistan).
Meanwhile, against England, Kohli boasts 1,340 runs at an average of 41.87, across 36 matches, (three tons, nine fifties).
Notably, he also is the second-highest run-scorer for India in ODIs.
Milestone
Kohli's potential milestone in upcoming ODI
As India prepare for the second ODI against England on Sunday, February 9, fans are eagerly anticipating Kohli's return.
Despite recent struggles in Tests against New Zealand and Australia, along with a disappointing Ranji Trophy comeback, Kohli stands just 94 runs shy of becoming the third player to reach 14,000 ODI runs.
If he does, he will join Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.