New Delhi: India will be aiming to seal the three-match series with an unassailable 2-0 lead when they take on Jos Buttler-led England in the 2nd ODI at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha on Sunday, February 09. India defeated England by 4 wickets comfortably in the series opener in Nagpur to go 1-0 up and will be looking to continue the winning momentum in Cuttack.
In the pre-match presser on Saturday, India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed senior batter Virat Kohli is fit and a decision on his inclusion in the playing XI will be taken by head coach Gautam Gambhir and skipper Rohit Sharma. Kohli missed the 1st ODI in Nagpur due to a knee issue with Shreyas Iyer revealing that he replaced the star batter in the playing XI.
Iyer’s revelation took many by surprise as the prolific right-hander has been one of the most consistent performers for India at no.4 with over 500 runs at an average of over 60 in his last 10 ODI innings at the position. Iyer buried any doubts over his inclusion with a fantastic knock of 59 off just 36 balls to play his part in India’s victory in the game.
With Kohli returning to the XI, it remains to be seen if the team management will ask Iyer to make way for the star batter despite his stellar knock in the 1st ODI or if the talented Yashasvi Jaiswal will be left out of the playing XI. In Kohli’s absence, Jaiswal made his ODI debut in Nagpur and opened the batting with Rohit. However, he was dismissed cheaply on 15 off 22 balls.
Kohli is expected to slot back at no.3 on his return and it will be interesting to see who will he replace in the playing XI. India might not make any other change in their batting line-up in the 2nd ODI with KL Rahul expected to keep his spot ahead of Rishabh Pant as the first-choice wicket-keeper batter.
Will Varun Chakaravarthy get a chance?
There is a possibility of a change in the bowling line-up as well with mystery spinner Varun Chakaravarthy waiting in line to make his ODI debut for India. Chakaravarthy was included in the India squad for the England ODIs in place of the injured Jasprit Bumrah after his impressive show in the T20I series against the visitors.
The spinner is reportedly in contention for a spot in India’s squad in the Champions Trophy 2025 if Bumrah fails to make the cut. The team management might want to give Chakaravarthy a chance to test him in ODIs if he is in their plans for the Champions Trophy. He might replace Kuldeep Yadav in a straight swap in the XI.
Arshdeep Singh also didn’t get a chance in the first ODI but he might have to warm the bench once again in the 2nd ODI with Harshit Rana impresisng on his debut. Arshdeep has significant experience behind his back and has been playing regular cricket but the selectors might want to test Rana ahead of the Champions Trophy in case the pacer is picked to replace Bumrah if the senior pacer fails to make the cut.
India’s predicted XI for 2nd ODI against England:
Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav/Varun Chakravarthy, Mohammed Shami
Virat Kohli has been declared fit by India’s batting coach ahead of the 2nd ODI against England and the senior batter might return to the playing XI. India might also consider giving a chance to Varun Chakaravarthy in Cuttack. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
