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In a big news ahead of the ODI series between India and England, it is being reported that star India batter Virat Kohli is likely to miss the first ODI of the three-match series with a groin injury. This could be a huge blow to Team India with captain Rohit Sharma going on record saying that the management was backing Kohli to come good.
Moreover, several cricket experts and pundits had suggested that the best format for Kohli to get back into form could have been the ODIs where he has an enviable record and gets the time he needs before going for the big shots. However, the injury might spoil all such plans at least in the series opener scheduled at The Oval, London on Tuesday.
Moreover, with hardly any gap between matches with the second and third ODIs scheduled on the 14th and 17th of this month, Kohli might even have to sit out for the entire series with him already being rested for the ODIs against West Indies.
"Virat has a groin strain during the last game. It can't be confirmed whether it happened during fielding or while batting. He will probably miss the first ODI tomorrow at Oval as the groin needs rest," a BCCI source told news agency PTI.
It is also being told as per the same report that Kohli did not travel from Nottingham to London with the team bus probably because he wanted to get a medical check-up done. Furthermore, even the decision to delay the team announcement for the T20Is against West Indies has been taken as more clarity is required on the availability of the former captain for the series.
It is being reported that the squad announcement will be made on Tuesday and while a full-strength team is expected to be announced, Kohli's name will be included only when the authorities are convinced of his fitness.