Virat Kohli is back with the Indian team just in time for the ODI series against England, putting an end to weeks of speculation about his fitness. The former captain arrived in Birmingham and jumped straight into practice sessions ahead of the first match on July 14 at Edgbaston. Kohli had been sidelined since he suffered a distal semimembranosus tendon tear during the IPL 2026 final on May 31, where he gave a match-winning performance for Royal Challengers Bengaluru; guiding to their second title with a stellar unbeaten 75 against the Gujarat Titans.
After completing his rehabilitation and getting the green light from medical staff, the 37-year-old is ready to don the national colors again and is gearing up for his much-anticipated return.
India begin the three-match ODI series in Birmingham before travelling to Cardiff for the second match on July 16 at Sophia Gardens. The tour will then conclude with the final ODI at Lord's in London on July 19. All three matches will be played within six days as India continue their preparations for next year's World Cup campaign.
England ODI Series Opens Door for Virat Kohli's Upcoming Milestones
The first ODI against England is set to be a big moment for Kohli, marking his return to international cricket after nearly six months. His last game for India was back on January 18 against New Zealand. Since he now focuses solely on the 50-over format, he missed out on India's T20 World Cup journey, the T20Is against Ireland, and the ongoing T20I series in England. With his decision to step away from Test cricket, every ODI he plays becomes even more crucial as he approaches the final chapter of his international career.
This comeback also puts some impressive milestones within his reach. Kohli needs just 203 more runs to become only the second player in ODI history to surpass 15,000 runs, joining the elite ranks of Sachin Tendulkar. Currently, Kohli is in second place on the all-time list with 14,797 runs from 311 matches. If he achieves this feat during the series, he’ll also become the fastest player to hit that milestone. Tendulkar reached it in 359 innings, while Kohli has a great chance to beat that record as he heads into the England series.
Another significant milestone awaits as soon as Kohli steps up to bat in Birmingham, his 300th ODI innings. His impressive record shows he has amassed 14,797 runs at an average of 58.71, with 54 centuries and 77 fifties. This highlights just how vital his return is for India as they gear up for a crucial year in ODI cricket.
