NEW DELHI — India’s veteran batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are on the verge of rewriting the record books as they prepare for the first One Day International (ODI) against England in the three-match series beginning this week. Both players, who have been central to India’s limited-overs success over the past decade, are within striking distance of surpassing a long-standing Indian ODI milestone on English soil.
According to data compiled by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and verified by ESPNcricinfo, Kohli currently sits second on the list of India’s highest run-scorers in ODIs in England, with 1,045 runs from 25 matches. He trails only former captain Sourav Ganguly, who amassed 1,142 runs in 28 ODIs across multiple tours. Rohit, meanwhile, has accumulated 987 runs in 22 ODIs in England, placing him fourth on the all-time list behind Ganguly, Kohli, and Sachin Tendulkar (1,071 runs).
The upcoming series, part of India’s preparations for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup, presents an opportunity for both players to climb the record charts. England, ranked second in the ICC ODI rankings, will host India for three ODIs starting August 20, with the matches scheduled to be played in Nottingham, London, and Manchester. The series marks India’s first bilateral ODI tour of England since 2022, following a period of limited international cricket due to scheduling conflicts and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kohli, who has been in prolific form in recent years, needs just 98 more runs to surpass Ganguly’s record and become India’s highest run-scorer in ODIs in England. Rohit, India’s current white-ball captain, requires 156 runs to overtake Tendulkar and move into second place. Both players have historically performed well in English conditions, with Kohli averaging 47.50 in ODIs in England and Rohit averaging 47.00, including three centuries each.
The series also holds significance as it marks the return of key players to the Indian squad after a period of selective rest. Jasprit Bumrah, India’s premier fast bowler, is set to rejoin the team after recovering from a back injury that kept him out of the recent T20I series against Australia. Bumrah’s inclusion is expected to bolster India’s bowling attack, which has struggled with consistency in recent outings.
However, the tour comes amid ongoing discussions within the Indian cricket administration about player rotation and workload management ahead of the 2027 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Reports from The Times of India suggest that the BCCI and team management are seeking to convince senior players, including Kohli, Rohit, and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul, to embrace a rotation policy to ensure their fitness and availability for the marquee tournament. The board has reportedly emphasized the need to balance immediate series objectives with long-term preparation, particularly given the physical demands of the upcoming World Cup cycle.
India’s coaching staff, led by head coach Rahul Dravid, has not yet confirmed whether any of the senior players will be rested during the England series. However, sources within the team management indicated that the decision would depend on individual fitness assessments and the team’s performance in the early matches. “The focus is on giving players adequate recovery time while ensuring the team remains competitive,” a BCCI official told The Times of India on condition of anonymity. “We are in constant dialogue with the players and the medical team to make the best decisions for the long term.”
The England series is also expected to serve as a testing ground for younger players in the Indian squad. With the 2027 World Cup in mind, selectors are keen to evaluate the form and temperament of emerging talents such as Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, and fast bowler Umran Malik, all of whom are part of the touring party. Gill, in particular, has been in scintillating form, having scored three ODI centuries in his last five innings, and is widely regarded as a future leader of India’s batting lineup.
England, under the leadership of Jos Buttler, will enter the series as favorites, having won their last three bilateral ODI series at home. The hosts boast a formidable batting lineup, featuring the likes of Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, and Dawid Malan, while their bowling attack, led by Jofra Archer and Reece Topley, has been effective in exploiting English conditions. The series is expected to be closely contested, with both teams looking to fine-tune their combinations ahead of the World Cup.
For Kohli and Rohit, the series represents more than just an opportunity to break records. It is a chance to reaffirm their status as two of India’s greatest ODI batsmen and to set the tone for the team’s campaign in the 2027 World Cup. Kohli, who recently became the fastest player to score 13,000 ODI runs, has spoken openly about his desire to contribute to India’s success in the upcoming global tournament. “Records are a byproduct of the team’s success,” Kohli said in a recent interview with ESPNcricinfo. “Our focus is on performing as a unit and ensuring we are at our best when it matters the most.”
Rohit, who has led India to multiple ICC tournament finals, including the 2023 ODI World Cup, echoed similar sentiments. “The team’s goals always come first,” he said. “If individual milestones happen along the way, that’s great, but our priority is to win matches and build momentum for the World Cup.”
The first ODI between England and India is scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM local time (5:30 PM IST) on August 20 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports in India and Sky Sports in the UK.
Story synopsis gathered from: The Times of India, ESPNcricinfo — Google News India.
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Story synopsis gathered from: Google News India – Sports — source.
