Virat Kohli nearing return from hamstring injury for England ODIs

Virat Kohli (ANI Photo)

MUMBAI: Virat Kohli has made significant progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury and is on track to return to the Indian team for the upcoming ODI series in England, TOI has learnt. "Kohli has started his rehabilitation, and his injury is healing quickly. He is expected to report to the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence for his fitness assessment and clearance soon. If his recovery goes as planned, Kohli is expected to make his comeback to the team in the upcoming England series," a source said.

BCCI selectors to pick squad soon

The Indian ODI squad for the tour of England is set to be picked later this week. "The selection committee meeting to pick India's ODI team for the England tour will be held in the next three to four days," BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia told TOI on Thursday. The three-match ODI series between India and England will be played from July 14 to 19, with matches scheduled in Birmingham, Cardiff and Lord's. The 37-year-old Kohli missed the ongoing home ODI series against Afghanistan due to the hamstring injury, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal replacing him. The superstar batter has been consulting renowned orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dinshaw Pardiwalla, who is based at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai and serves as the BCCI's consultant orthopaedic surgeon.

Hamstring injury ruled Kohli out of Afghanistan series

Kohli had suffered the hamstring injury during his unbeaten 75 off 42 balls in the IPL final, which helped Royal Challengers Bengaluru chase down 156 against Gujarat Titans and clinch their second successive IPL title. On Tuesday, several pictures surfaced online showing Kohli spending time in London, where he currently lives, with English batter Jordon Cox, his Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammate. The meeting came hours before the 25-year-old was named in England's playing XI for the second Test against New Zealand, which began at The Oval on Wednesday.

Agarkar had hinted at England comeback

While announcing India's squads for the series against Afghanistan in Mumbai on June 6, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had indicated that Kohli could be fit for the England series, but added that there was "no clear timeline" from the physio regarding his return. "With Virat, it's just been less than a week since he injured himself in the IPL final. We don't know the timelines yet. But it looks like he might be fit for that England one-day series. It's not a definitive answer, so don't hold me to it. I haven't had a clear timeline from the physio yet," Agarkar had said. Having retired from T20Is and Tests, Kohli now plays only ODIs for India. His previous appearance came in the home series against New Zealand in January, where he top-scored for India with 240 runs at an average of 80 and a strike rate of 105.26.