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Virat Kohli Sustains Knee Injury; 3 Players Who Can Replace Him In India's ODI Squad vs England

Debashis Sarangi

Virat Kohli won't play 1st ODI vs England [Source: AP]Virat Kohli won't play 1st ODI vs England [Source: AP]

In a significant development, India's premier batter Virat Kohli is all set to miss the first ODI against England due to an injury. As Indian captain Rohit Sharma confirmed, Kohli won't participate in the first ODI at VCA stadium in Nagpur, as he is suffering from a knee injury. 

Kohli was seen with a strapped knee, with young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal replacing him in the Indian lineup. Although the severity of Kohli's injury has yet to be revealed, India might not rush him, with the Champions Trophy in the horizon. In such a scenario, there are three potential candidates who can replace the batting maestro in India's squad for the England ODIs. 

3. Rajat Patidar

Innings
Runs
Average/SR
50s/100s
63221137.47/99.5913/4
  • Stylish right-handed batter Rajat Patidar has been a force to reckon with the bat in the Indian domestic circuit. In 63 List-A innings, Patidar has struck 2211 runs at an average of 37.47 and a strike rate of 99.59. 
  • While Patidar can frustrate the opposition with his scintillating stroke play, his exceptional ability to dispatch pace and spin with the utmost authority could earn him a recall into India's ODI team. 

2. B Sai Sudharsan

Innings
Runs
Average/SR
50s/100s
27139660.69/95.616/6

(Sai Sudharsan's stats in List-A Cricket)

  • Left-handed batter B Sai Sudharsan has been Tamil Nadu's Mr consistent in the domestic circuit. Hailed for his stoic technique and elegant stroke play, Sai Sudharsan has amassed 1396 List-A runs in 27 innings at a superb average of 60.69 and a strike rate of 95.61. 
  • Thus, considering he is one of India's brightest batting prospects, the hosts might rope in Sudharsan if they decide to rest Kohli for the remainder of the series. 

1. Ruturaj Gaikwad

Innings
Runs
Average/SR
50s/100s
83432456.15/101.6617/16

(Ruturaj Gaikwad's stats in List-A Cricket)

  • Chennai Super Kings' IPL captain Ruturaj Gaikwad has enjoyed stellar success in white-ball cricket. He is one of the most highly-rated top order batters in India, having slammed 4324 runs at a magnificent average of 56.15 and a strike rate of 101.66. He has played six ODIs for India, scoring 115 runs. 
  • Although Gaikwad hasn't had a great ODI career, India might reward him for his consistency in the domestic circuit and get him back in the side if Kohli doesn't feature in the three-match series.