London: When the confident Indian team takes to the field to play the second One Day at the Lord’s Cricket Ground on Thursday, their intention will be to dominate England and build an unbeaten lead in the three-match series. Star batsman Virat Kohli is doubtful to play in tomorrow’s match as well. Kohli, who has been struggling with poor form for a long time, missed the first ODI due to a groin muscle strain and it is not yet clear whether he will be fit for the second match as well.
However, Kohli’s performance in the limited-overs matches has not affected much, as the team has been performing well in ODIs and T20Is. After winning the T20I series against England 2-1, the Indian team won the first ODI by 10 wickets on Tuesday. The negative aspect of Kohli’s absence is that the country’s top batsman does not get a chance to perform solidly in a pressured match, while the other aspect is that other batsmen are getting a chance to prove themselves.
Asked about Kohli’s availability in the second match, first-match hero Jasprit Bumrah said, “I didn’t play the final T20 and Kohli didn’t play the first ODI, so I don’t have any update on his injury.” If Kohli takes to the field without 100 percent fitness, a groin muscle strain could turn into a major injury.
ICC ODI Team Rankings: India beat Pakistan to reach third place
Dubai, dt. 13 (PTI): With a 10-wicket win in the first match of the three-match ODI series against England, the Indian team overtook Pakistan to the third position in the ODI team rankings announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday. Before this ODI, the Indian team was fourth with 105 points, but with a 10-wicket win over England on Tuesday, India’s rating points rose to 108, while Pakistan slipped to fourth with 106 points.
New Zealand tops the team rankings with 106 points, while England is second with 122 points. If the Indian team wins the remaining two ODIs against England, they will strengthen their position in the third position, but if they lose, they can once again slip to the fourth position.
