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England captain Jos Buttler won the toss and immediately made a daring decision by electing to bat first against India in Nagpur ODI, setting the tone for what promises to be a thrilling contest.
Reason behind Virat Kohli’s absence
In a major setback for India, star batter Virat Kohli will be missing from the game due to an injury, a development that has cast a shadow over the team’s usual dominance in the ODI format. With Kohli sidelined, India has decided to take this opportunity to experiment with new talent ahead of the Champions Trophy, with fresh faces like Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana earning their ODI debut caps. The absence of Kohli, arguably the biggest star of Indian cricket, puts added pressure on the remaining players, particularly captain Rohit Sharma, who has had inconsistent outings recently in international and domestic cricket.
Rohit Sharma’s strategic vision ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025
Amid the buzz surrounding the series opener in Nagpur, Indian captain Rohit Sharma is under immense pressure to perform and lead his team, especially following his forgettable displays against New Zealand, Australia and in the Ranji Trophy. Tasked with steering a revamped side that is also missing Kohli, Rohit’s leadership is being scrutinized as he embarks on his final assignment before the ICC Champions Trophy.
“We wanted to bowl first. We want to come out and be aggressive at the start and see what we can do thereafter. This series presents us fresh opportunity to come out and play well. Jaiswal and Rana make their debut, unfortunately Kohli not playing, a right knee problem that happened last night,” Rohit said during the toss time.
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England’s bold choice: Batting first in Nagpur
With a team in transition following a lackluster T20I campaign, England’s skipper was determined to capitalize on his side’s batting potential and build a solid foundation in the ODI format. His decision reflects a strategic pivot designed to put pressure on India right from the outset, forcing the hosts to chase a target rather than set one. Legendary batter Joe Root made a comeback and will play his first ODI for England since 2023.
“We have got a nice thing going in the dressing room. Nice to have Joe Root. Morale’s good. Baz is good at making sure guys are in good headspace,” Buttler said.
