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Virat Kohli Injured! Will He Miss ICC Champions Trophy 2025? What Changes Can India Make?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Virat Kohli with heavy strapping before the 1st ODI [Source: @imkevin149/x.com]Virat Kohli with heavy strapping before the 1st ODI [Source: @imkevin149/x.com]

India recently dominated England in a five-match T20I series, winning by a 4-1 margin. After dominating the visitors in the shortest format of international cricket India will be looking translate the performance in the ODIs. The teams begin their final preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy by playing in the first ODI of a three-match series at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium.

One of the biggest blows for India has been the injury of their stalwart, and one of the best ODI batters ever was Virat Kohli. As per the latest reports, the marquee batter had a right knee injury or swelling on the eve of the first ODI and, hence, could not participate in the game. 

Virat Kohli's Injury Update And Champions Trophy 2025 Participation

The Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, said that it was unfortunate that Kohli will miss the Vidarbha ODI. However, no update about the seriousness of the injury has yet been revealed. The management and the fans will hope that he gets fit for the next match and gets enough game time before the all-important Champions Trophy.

However, if Kohli's injury turns out serious and the batter misses the grand tournament, here are three changes that India can make - 

3. Bring In Karun Nair

Karun Nair [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]Karun Nair [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

Karun Nair, India's forgotten Test triple centurion, has been in brilliant form in the 50-over format of the game. In the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, Nair scored 778 runs in eight innings at an unimaginable average of 389.50. 

Nair set up the stage for Vidarbha in most games during the tournament and played some crucial and impactful knocks. Replacing Kohli with Nair could be one of India's viable options.

2. Train Jaiswal To Bat At Number 3

Yashasvi Jaiswal getting his ODI debut cap [Source: @rushiii_12/x.com]Yashasvi Jaiswal getting his ODI debut cap [Source: @rushiii_12/x.com]

Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill have been opening in the ODIs for the past two or three seasons. So, the management might look to continue with the pair and use Yashasvi Jaiswal at number three. If Virat Kohli's injury turns out too serious, Indian management might try to play the left-handed batter at that spot throughout the series and train him to be a proper number three. This will help the young batter carry the confidence into the all-important tournament and perform when the team needs him to play the fulcrum role.

1. Rohit-Jaiswal Opening And Gill At Number 3

Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal has been opening together in Test cricket and have a good understanding between them. To cope with the absence of Kohli, India can use this pair to open and then push Shubman Gill down to number three. Gill has already played the role of a number 3 in Test cricket and hence as a idea of how to function there. In ODIs, the number three is an important factor in the batting line-up, and hence, having someone who has played the role in one format could be a very good option for the team.