Ind vs Eng: Why Virat Kohli is not playing the first ODI?

India are taking on England in the first ODI at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Thursday. However, fans are upset to find that superstar Virat Kohli is not playing in the match.

As per the team sources, Kohli has been ruled out of the first ODI against England due to a knee injury.

Kohli’s last ODI was against Sri Lanka last year and the veteran was recently seen playing for Delhi in the Ranji Trophy. His absence could hurt India’s chances as he is the best ODI batter in the world at the moment.

Kohli failed to pass the fitness test ahead of the series opener against England. The veteran batsman was impacted by neck sprain during the fifth and final Test against Australia in Sydney but played the game after taking injections.

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In response, former India opener Aakash Chopra reacted to Kohli’s fitness standards and also highlighted his two injuries.

“Neck in January. Knee in February. Not often you see Kohli missing any competitive cricket because of fitness issues. But here we are. Hopefully, he’ll be fit for Cuttack,” wrote Chopra on social media account X (earlier known as Twitter).