Virat Kohli To Return; What Would Be India's Batting Line-up In 2nd ODI?

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal [Source: @INSIDDE_OUT, @ai_daytrading/x.com]Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal [Source: @INSIDDE_OUT, @ai_daytrading/x.com]

India and England are facing off against each other in a three-match ODI series. The home team won the first ODI at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Jamtha, Rajkot.

Although India managed to win the game, they played without one of their major players, Virat Kohli. The marquee Indian batter is going to be a crucial cog for the team in the upcoming Champions Trophy. The injury scare of the marquee batter came as a shock to the Indian fans, and they were pretty naturally tensed about the player's availability in the major tournament. 

Why Virat Kohli Did Not Play The 1st ODI?

As Rohit Sharma stated ahead of the first ODI, Kohli developed a right knee injury on the eve of the first match and, hence, could not participate in the Nagpur ODI. However, as per the latest reports, the player is fit, and it seems he will take part in the next ODI between the two teams.

How India's Batting Order Looked In Kohli's Absence?

In Kohli's absence, we saw that Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rohit Sharma opened the innings, while Shubman Gill came down the order at number three. Also, some reports suggested that if Kohli had played in the first game, Shreyas Iyer would have had to sit out. 

However, Iyer played a blazing knock in the first ODI, and India will now have to strategise to include Kohli in the batting line-up. So, let us try to analyse the changes India can make to draft Kohli into the order.

Will Yashasvi Jaiswal Be Dropped?

It might seem too harsh to drop Jaiswal after only one game. But Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer played impactful knocks in the first ODI, and there is little chance that India would drop either of them. Hence, for Kohli to return, India might have to drop the young left-handed batter. In that case, Shubman Gill will be promoted to the opening spot, while Kohli takes up his favourite number three spot. 

Why KL Rahul Should Be Given Another Chance?

In the first ODI we saw that India sent Axar Patel to bat to ahead of KL Rahul. With Jacob Bethell and Adil Rashid bowling during the phase, it was an understandable strategy. However, it is notable that India preferred KL ahead of Rishabh Pant. 

KL Rahul did not get a chance to bat or get enough game time during the match. Hence, India should look to give him another go in the next match and probably use him a bit at the top to allow him enough time to prove himself.

India's Probable XI With Kohli Back For 2nd ODI

Rohit Sharma (C)
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Shreyas Iyer
KL Rahul (wk)
Axar Patel
Hardik Pandya
Ravindra Jadeja
Kuldeep Yadav
Harshit Rana
Mohammed Shami