Virat Kohli's Fitness Update: Will He Play 2nd ODI Against England?

Star batter Virat Kohli has recovered from a painful right knee and is fit to play in the 2nd ODI against England in Cuttack on Sunday, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak gave confirmation. "Virat Kohli is fit to play. He has come for practice and is good to go," Kotak said to the reporters ahead of the second game. Anyhow, he refrained from revealing who among opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and last match's half-centurion Shreyas Iyer would be dropped from the playing eleven. "It is captain (Rohit Sharma) and coach's (Gautam Gambhir) call. I can't answer this," Kotak said. He also downplayed concerns over skipper Rohit Sharma's poor form, and he described it as a mere "lean patch."

Who will Kohli replace?

Shreyas Iyer, who replaced Kohli at the final minute, made a dazzling 36-ball 59, by making his exclusion a serious decision. 

Following his past precedents, Kohli is expected to replace Shreyas, but it looks more likely that Yashasvi Jaiswal could be the one to make way for the batting icon. This probably would allow Gill to partner Rohit at the top, and Jaiswal failing to make an impact in Nagpur.

It remains to be seen how the team management, led by Gautam Gambhir, which favors a left-right combination, looks after this situation. Apart from combination issues, Kohli himself is in need of runs and will really require a powerful performance here if he indeed returns to the playing XI.

Virat Kohli's form has been under the microscope in recent months, especially after his struggles in Australia, where he often edged deliveries to the slip cordon or wicketkeeper.

READ MORE - Rohit Sharma's Troubles Continues, Departs for 2 Runs vs England