Virat Kohli, 36, had to sit out the ODI series opener in Nagpur because of swelling in his right knee.
Shubman Gill on Virat Kohli knee Injury
India vice-captain Shubman Gill has eased concerns about Virat Kohli’s fitness, confirming that the star batsman is fine and should be ready for the second One-Day International against England in Cuttack on Sunday. Kohli, 36, missed the ODI series opener in Nagpur due to swelling in his right knee, leaving the team in a challenging position ahead of the final preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy, starting on February 19 in Pakistan and Dubai.
Gill, who scored an impactful 87 in India’s four-wicket win against England in Nagpur, shared an update with Disney-Hotstar: “It’s nothing serious. He (Kohli) was fine during Wednesday’s practice, but woke up with some swelling in his knee today. He’ll definitely be back for the second ODI.”
The top-order batter also reflected on his own innings, mentioning that he wasn’t thinking about a century as he approached the milestone. He explained, “I was focused on the field placements and played my shots accordingly. I wanted to dominate the bowler, and I would have played the same shot even if I was in my 60s.” Gill’s attempt to accelerate the innings led to his dismissal as Jos Buttler took a stunning diving catch at mid-on off Saqib Mahmood’s bowling, leaving India at 235/6.
Gill, who typically opens the innings in ODIs, also spoke about his role at No.3 in this series. “I play at No. 3 in Tests, so it wasn’t a big adjustment. It’s always a challenge at that position because you need to adapt to the game situation. If the team loses quick wickets, you need to play sensibly. If the team starts well, you need to carry the momentum. My approach was simple — play according to the situation.”
Regarding the frequent use of sweep and reverse sweep shots by young Indian players against spinners, Gill clarified that it wasn’t a team strategy. “It’s an individual choice, not a team strategy. Every batsman has a plan to target specific areas. Many players are practicing sweeps and reverse sweeps in the nets to have more options while batting.”
On his 94-run partnership with Shreyas Iyer (59) for the third wicket, Gill emphasized that once they read the field, scoring became easier. “We lost two early wickets, but the plan was to play according to the field and not hold back. After a few overs, the line and lengths became predictable, which helped us score faster.”
(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated source.)
