Virat Kohli Comeback: In a highly anticipated clash, India and England faced off in the second ODI at Cuttack’s Barabati Stadium, with the hosts making two strategic changes to their line-up. Star batter Virat Kohli marked his return from a knee injury, while mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy earned his maiden ODI cap, signaling India’s intent to seal the series after their thrilling win in Nagpur.
Key Changes in India’s Playing XI
Virat Kohli In, Yashasvi Jaiswal Out
Kohli, who missed the first ODI due to knee swelling, replaced debutant Yashasvi Jaiswal. Vice-captain Shubman Gill had earlier reassured fans that Kohli’s injury was minor, and the 36-year-old’s inclusion bolstered India’s top order. Jaiswal, despite a promising start, managed only 15 runs in his debut match, prompting the switch (Virat Kohli Comeback).
Varun Chakravarthy’s ODI Debut
Kolkata Knight Riders’ spin wizard Varun replaced Kuldeep Yadav, who was rested after a modest performance in the first ODI. Varun, known for his T20 exploits (14 wickets in the recent T20I series), was tipped to trouble England’s batters with his unorthodox variations.
India’s XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Varun Chakravarthy.
England’s Counter Moves
England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bat first on a dry, black-soil pitch expected to favour spinners later. The visitors made three changes:
- Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson, and Jamie Overton replaced Jofra Archer (rested), Jacob Bethell (hamstring injury), and an unnamed third player.
England’s XI: Phil Salt (WK), Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler (C), Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Gus Atkinson, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood, Saqib Mahmood.
Kohli’s Milestone and Rohit’s Leadership Test
- Kohli’s Quest for 14,000 ODI Runs: The former Indian captain needs just 94 runs to become the third batter (after Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara) to cross 14,000 ODI runs.
- Rohit Sharma’s Struggles: The skipper, yet to score a fifty since August 2024, faced scrutiny after a reckless dismissal in the first ODI match. His form remains critical for India’s Champions Trophy preparations.
Varun Chakravarthy: England’s New Nemesis?
Varun’s inclusion raised eyebrows but aligns with India’s strategy to test spin options before the Champions Trophy begins. His T20 dominance against England—where batters struggled to decode his carrom balls and sliders adds intrigue to his 10-over spell. Former pacer Zaheer Khan initially questioned the timing of his debut but acknowledged the team’s need for experimentation.
Match Dynamics and Expert Insights
- Pitch Report: The abrasive surface in Cuttack, with short square boundaries, could favour aggressive batting early on. Spinners like Jadeja (3/26 in the first ODI) and Varun may dominate the middle overs.
- England’s Batting Approach: Buttler emphasized adopting a “positive and aggressive” brand of cricket, inspired by Rohit-led approach. Ben Duckett (65 off 52 balls in the first innings) and Phil Salt remain key threats.
Read Also:
- MI vs SRH Highlights: Rohit Sharma’s Masterclass Seals 7-Wicket Victory
- SRH vs MI First Innings: Klaasen’s Valiant 71 Rescues Sunrisers After Boult’s Devastating Spell
- IPL 2025 Points Table: Standings Analysis and Playoff Implications
Conclusion: A Battle of Strategies
With India leading 1-0, this match serves as a litmus test for both teams’ ODI recalibration. Kohli’s return injects experience, while Varun’s debut adds unpredictability. For England, Root and Buttler’s middle-order resilience will be pivotal. As the sun beats down on Cuttack, expect spin wizardry, explosive batting, and a high-stakes contest ahead of the Champions Trophy (Virat Kohli Comeback).
For Hindi Updates: Click Here