WATCH: Virat Kohli fully fit, bats with utmost ease in Cuttack nets

In the forthcoming second ODI at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on February 9, the Indian side hopes to secure the series with the same outcome after defeating England in the first ODI at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur. Fans in Nagpur were disgruntled when star batsman Virat Kohli was sidelined after sustaining a knee injury the night before the match, despite India winning the opening game.

The severity of his knee issue was a subject of conjecture, and there was much discussion on his involvement in the second ODI. The former captain of India put an end to all of the ifs and buts as concerns grew by showing up in the nets for batting drill. During India’s practice session in Cuttack, a video surfaced showing the 36-year-old in good physical condition and hitting the ball with maximum effort.

India’s batting coach, in a pre-match press conference, also confirmed that the India star will feature in the Playing XI for the Cuttack clash.

Here’s the video of Virat Kohli practicing in Cuttack

Virat Kohli during Batting Practice Session at Barabati Stadium pic.twitter.com/ZFnvwxvqMe

— Virat Kohli Fan Club (@Trend_VKohli) February 8, 2025

India’s 2025 Champions Trophy matches will take place in Dubai.

India will use the series as a vital preparation for the 2025 Champions Trophy. On February 19, they will take on Bangladesh at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in their opening match of the competition. It is important to remember that the ICC event was hosted in Pakistan.

Due to a lack of security and long-standing geopolitical issues between the two countries, the BCCI chose not to send Indian players there. Dubai was thus selected as the neutral location for all Indian games. The ICC has actually made it clear that all matches between India and Pakistan up until 2027 will only be held at neutral locations.

India Squad For ICC Champions Trophy 2025