February 5, 2025: India’s star batters, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, were seen in full swing ahead of the first ODI against England in Nagpur, as they prepared for the three-match series.
In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the two batting stalwarts showcased their remarkable skill sets during a nets session, demonstrating a wide array of shots, including some that are fan favorites.
Despite their recent struggles in the 2024-25 Test season, both players were seen in good form in the nets. Rohit had a rough Test season, managing just 164 runs in 8 matches with a low average of 10.93. Similarly, Virat Kohli faced a disappointing year, scoring just 382 runs from 19 innings, averaging 22.87, and having just one century and fifty.
However, both players have had strong performances in white-ball cricket. Rohit Sharma excelled during the 2024 T20 World Cup, leading India to victory and finishing as the second-highest run-scorer with 257 runs in 8 matches. His 2024 calendar year also included 378 runs in 11 T20s at an average of 42.00 and a strike rate of 160.16, with a century and three half-centuries.
Virat Kohli has continued his exceptional run in ODIs since the beginning of 2023. He has accumulated 1,435 runs in 30 ODIs at an impressive average of 65.22, including six centuries and eight fifties. Kohli was also India’s top scorer in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, winning the ‘Player of the Tournament’ award for amassing 765 runs in 11 matches at an average of 95.62.
Though both players had quiet performances in the Sri Lanka ODIs last year, their overall records and current form suggest that they will be key players for India in the upcoming series against England. Fans are eagerly awaiting their return to form in the limited-overs format as India takes on England in this high-profile ODI series.