India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirms Virat Kohli is fit for the 2nd ODI vs England

Indian men’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has confirmed that Virat Kohli is fit and available for the second ODI against England, set to be played on Sunday at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. Kohli had missed the first game due to a knee issue, marking his first absence from an international match due to injury in nearly four years.

“Virat Kohli is fit to play.He has come for practice and is good to go" Kotak said in the pre-match press conference on Saturday, as quoted by PTI.

Team India's batting coach said - "Virat Kohli is fit and Currently training and he is good to go". (Sports Express). pic.twitter.com/bRrw899xhY

— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) February 8, 2025

India Lead 1-0 in the Series

India won the opening match of the three-game series by four wickets, taking a 1-0 lead. In Kohli’s absence, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was handed his ODI debut but couldn’t play well. Middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer, who played a crucial role with a half-century, later revealed that he wasn’t originally slated to be in the playing XI. He only got the opportunity because Kohli’s knee injury flared up before the match.

While confirming Kohli’s fitness, Kotak remained tight-lipped about who would make way for him in the playing XI. Jaiswal or Iyer will be dropped is a decision that rests with captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Gautam Gambhir.

“It is captain (Rohit Sharma) and coach’s (Gautam Gambhir) call. I can’t answer this," Kotak replied.

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