Virat Kohli Dramatic Return : How India New Playing XI Could Destroy England in 2nd ODI

Team India’s Likely XI: The Return of the King

After missing the first ODI due to a knee injury, Virat Kohli is set to make his comeback, forcing some tough selection decisions. Here’s India’s probable playing XI:

1. Rohit Sharma (Captain)
2. Shubman Gill
3. Virat Kohli
4. Shreyas Iyer
5. KL Rahul (WK)
6. Hardik Pandya
7. Axar Patel
8. Varun Chakravarthy
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Harshit Rana

Key Changes:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal makes way for Virat Kohli
• Mohammed Shami likely to be rested
• Varun Chakravarthy could make his ODI debut

Strategic Breakdown: Why These Changes Matter

Opening Combination
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill will continue their successful partnership at the top. In the first ODI, Gill’s magnificent 87 showcased why he’s India’s premier ODI opener. Their contrasting styles – Rohit’s calculated aggression and Gill’s elegant stroke-play – make them a formidable duo.

 

Middle Order Reshuffle
Kohli’s return at No. 3 strengthens the middle order significantly. Despite Shreyas Iyer’s impressive 59 in the first ODI, he’ll likely move to No. 4, creating a more dynamic batting lineup. KL Rahul retains his spot at No. 5, providing stability and finishing capabilities.

 

All-Round Department
Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel form a potent all-round combination. Axar’s recent form with both bat (52 in first ODI) and ball makes him undroppable, while Pandya’s presence provides crucial balance to the team.

Bowling Configuration: Mix of Experience and Youth

The bowling attack sees strategic changes:

• Varun Chakravarthy could make his ODI debut after impressive T20I performances
• Kuldeep Yadav retains his place after economical bowling in Nagpur
• Arshdeep Singh might replace Mohammed Shami for rotation
• Harshit Rana keeps his spot after a promising debut

England’s Expected Response

England’s likely XI:

1. Phil Salt
2. Ben Duckett
3. Joe Root
4. Harry Brook
5. Jos Buttler (C/WK)
6. Liam Livingstone
7. Jacob Bethell
8. Brydon Carse
9. Adil Rashid
10. Mark Wood
11. Jofra Archer

Key Changes:

• Mark Wood likely to replace Saqib Mahmood
• Batting order remains unchanged despite Nagpur struggles

Venue Analysis: Barabati’s Batting Paradise

The Barabati Stadium in Cuttack has historically favored batsmen:

• Average first innings score: 356 (last three ODIs)
• Bowlers average nearly 40 runs per wicket
• Dew factor could influence the toss decision

Match Implications

A win would seal the series for India, providing valuable momentum before the Champions Trophy. For England, it’s about survival and maintaining their world champion status.The return of Virat Kohli, combined with strategic bowling changes, suggests India are balancing immediate success with long-term preparation. As cricket fever grips Cuttack, this playing XI represents India’s blueprint for limited-overs dominance.The second ODI begins at 1:30 PM IST on February 9, 2025, at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.

Q&A: Key Questions Answered

Q: Why is Yashasvi Jaiswal being dropped despite being a debutant?
A: Despite his talent, Jaiswal’s 15-run performance in Nagpur and Kohli’s return necessitate this change. Team balance takes priority approaching the Champions Trophy.