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Stars Arrive! Kohli, Rohit Touch Down In Nagpur Ahead Of 1st ODI vs England - Watch

Soumyajit Dutta∙ Updated: Feb 3 2025, 11:30 AM

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma arrives at Nagpur [Source: @ANI/X.com]Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma arrives at Nagpur [Source: @ANI/X.com]

Fresh off a commanding 4-1 victory in the T20I series, India is set to clash with England in the first ODI of a three-match series on February 6. The first match is scheduled to kick off in Nagpur's Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium. 

The series marks a crucial step in India's preparations for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, with all eyes on veteran stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli as they return to the ODI setup and arrive at Nagpur alongside the whole team.

Indian captain Rohit Sharma and batting icon Virat Kohli arrived in Nagpur on Sunday, February 2, ahead of the high-stakes series. Rohit flew in from Mumbai after attending the BCCI Naman Awards on Saturday, while Kohli joined the squad from Delhi, where he recently made a much-discussed return to Ranji Trophy cricket after 12 years. 

Rohit, Kohli Arrive in Nagpur Ahead of Series Opener

The duo's arrival sparked excitement, with fans capturing their casual yet confident demeanour on camera. Rohit, dressed in a black hoodie, waved at supporters before heading to his car. Kohli, sporting a black sweatshirt, was the first to step out of the airport as he marched amidst a crowd of paparazzi. 

Alongside the two stars, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and the vice-captain Shuibman Gill were also seen heading to their vehicles after stepping out of the airport.

Kohli’s Ranji Comeback Ends in Disappointment

Despite the buzz around his return to domestic cricket, Kohli's Ranji Trophy outing for Delhi against Railways ended underwhelmingly. In his first innings, the 36-year-old was sent back by Himanshu Sangwan early for six runs, and the star didn't even get the chance to salvage his form in the second innings.

Delhi's dominance collapsed Railways to a 19-run defeat. The brief slump adds pressure on Kohli to deliver in the ODI series, where his form will be vital for India's Champions Trophy ambitions.

Rohit, Kohli Eye ODI Redemption

With the Champions Trophy scheduled in Pakistan and Dubai next year, India's ODI series against England serves as a critical rehearsal. While Rohit and Kohli aim to lead from the front, the squad also features T20I stars like Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh, and Axar Patel. 

India's last ODI against England in October 2023 saw a 100-run victory, powered by Rohit's 87-run knock. Replicating such performances will be key as the team looks to build momentum ahead of global challenges.