There was a big cheer by the filling-in Lord’s crowd when India captain Rohit Sharma announced that Virat Kohli is fit and returns to the playing eleven for the second ODI against England on Thursday after the former captain had missed the first ODI couple of days ago at The Oval.
In the first ODI Kohli was not fit due to a reported groin injury, but the talismanic batsman passed his fitness tests and was seen batting in the nets ahead of the second ODI at the storied Lord’s.
Virat Kohli has not scored a century in 77 international innings
Skipper Rohit Sharma once again won the toss and elected to field first again. Kohli replaces Shreyas Iyer at number 3 while the in-form Suryakumar Yadav retained his place in the eleven.
Teams:
England (Playing XI): Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(w/c), Liam Livingstone, Moeen Ali, Craig Overton, David Willey, Brydon Carse, Reece Topley
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant(w), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna
Against an England bowling attack that didn’t pick a single wicket in the first ODI – as Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan comfortably gunned down the target of 111 inside 19 overs – Kohli now is presented with another good opportunity to return to form amid a horror individual tour of England.
He scored only 1 run in the second T20I and showed intent in the third T20I, but departed for 11 runs off 6 balls. He had managed scores of 11 and 20 in the Edgbaston Test earlier this month.
Although Kohli’s Test and T20 form has been under a cloud, the 33-year-old has remained consistent in ODI cricket; despite the lack of a century, Kohli averages 39 in ODI cricket since the start of 2020 and has notched up 9 half-centuries in his last 18 ODI innings, including two in South Africa earlier this year.
Fans were elated to see Kohli back in the eleven, and now once again they started their wishes of a century from the former captain.
Here are some of the best tweets on Virat Kohli’s return:
A look at our Playing XI for the 2nd ODI.
Virat Kohli back in the XI
Live – https://t.co/N4iVtxbfM7 #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/yeJIf2xTvz
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 14, 2022
Virat Kohli having batting practice ahead of the 2nd ODI. pic.twitter.com/fy36x3zPw6
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 14, 2022
Kohli 100 today hopefully
— Mfw (@offlinehu) July 14, 2022
Virat Kohli has 𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄 fifties in his last 18 ODI innings
He is back in India’s XI for the second ODI
#ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/3W8G5FicFz
— Sport360° (@Sport360) July 14, 2022
Coming 100 today of Virat Kohli https://t.co/lPXPSDslvX
— anuj kumar (@AnujJatla) July 14, 2022
Just saw King @imVkohli is playing wow. Go well man. Take your time. All the best. #ViratKohli
— Gautam Jha (@GautamJ18051300) July 14, 2022
Today is your
— |v| 0 |•| ! +
day at Lords 
. All the best.
(@m0h1tD) Virat Kohli’s presence is ominous
— Bitchard (@bitchard_1) July 14, 2022
India needs Kohli back. It’s not only about the team or BCCI, it’s about the whole India. India is desperate to have it’s King back. @imVkohli @BCCI #IndianCricketTeam
— Ayush (@Ayush82961689) July 14, 2022
@imVkohli आज किंग कोहली का
— Rahul Kumar (@RahulKu52493761) July 14, 2022
He changed the meaning for “out of form”#KingKohli @imVkohli #indiavsenglandonsonyliv pic.twitter.com/fEaGzP8y8s
— H@r!
(@Harikumarvj) Its coming today 71st
— Rishabh.Dixit (@rd_rishabh_) July 14, 2022
Since his last hundred Kohli has scored 2521 runs at 36 with a 94*. Let’s chat about his form, not arbitrary landmarks.
— Peter Miller (@TheCricketGeek) July 14, 2022
Also Read: England Cricket Team Is Getting Trolled Badly After Batting Collapse In 1st ODI
