India looks to seal the ODI series in Cuttack amid challenges of captain Rohit Sharma’s poor form and Virat Kohli’s return creating selection conundrums.
February 9, 2025: Team India heads to Cuttack for the second ODI against England on Sunday, with their eyes set on sealing the three-match series. However, challenges loom large as the team grapples with captain Rohit Sharma’s ongoing struggle for form and the potential selection dilemma posed by Virat Kohli’s anticipated return.
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India secured a hard-fought four-wicket victory in Nagpur, courtesy of strong performances by Shreyas Iyer and Harshit Rana. Yet, all eyes will be on how India balances their playing XI, especially with Kohli expected to return after missing the first ODI due to a sore knee. His absence had raised concerns over his fitness ahead of the Champions Trophy.
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The Kohli-Iyer-Jaiswal Dilemma
Kohli’s return to the XI could lead to a reshuffle in the batting order, potentially sidelining Shreyas Iyer, who capitalized on his chance with a fiery 36-ball 59 in Nagpur. Alternatively, Yashasvi Jaiswal, who failed to impress on his ODI debut, might make way. This reshuffle could reunite Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma at the top, giving the Indian captain another chance to regain form.
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Kohli himself has been searching for runs, especially after a disappointing Test series against Australia. However, ODIs remain his strongest format, where he is just 94 runs shy of becoming the third player to cross the 14,000-run milestone. Achieving this feat in Cuttack would make him the fastest to do so, surpassing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.
Rohit Sharma Under Pressure
Rohit Sharma’s lean patch continued in Nagpur as he was dismissed for just two runs. His struggles have raised questions about his ability to lead from the front. The Indian captain hasn’t scored a fifty across formats since his 64 against Sri Lanka in August 2024. Despite this, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak remains optimistic, citing Rohit’s ODI record of 31 centuries as a testament to his ability to bounce back.
Bowling Department Holds Strong
India’s bowling attack, led by Mohammed Shami, was clinical in Nagpur. Shami returned figures of 1/38 in eight overs, while debutant Harshit Rana picked up key wickets despite a shaky start. With Jasprit Bumrah’s fitness still under scrutiny, Rana will aim to make the most of his opportunities in this series.
England’s Must-Win Scenario
For Jos Buttler’s England, the match is do-or-die. Their ultra-aggressive batting faltered in Nagpur, and they’ll need to recalibrate their approach on a pitch that could favor India’s spinners. With experienced players like Joe Root and Jofra Archer in their lineup, England will be looking to bounce back and level the series.
Teams:
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy.
England: Jos Buttler (c), Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Philip Salt, Jamie Smith, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Liam Livingstone, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.
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India vs England, 2nd ODI, Rohit Sharma form, Virat Kohli comeback, Shreyas Iyer, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mohammed Shami, Harshit Rana debut, Jos Buttler, cricket analysis.