Kohli named in India ODI squad for England tour, subject to fitness clearance

Virat Kohli was on Sunday named in India's squad for the three-match ODI series against England next month, subject to fitness clearance, as the BCCI announced a 15-man squad for the upcoming white-ball assignment. Kohli, who is in Delhi for a promotional event, will report to the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru on Monday for a fitness test. He had suffered a hamstring injury during Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title-defending run in Indian Premier League. The injury had ruled him out of the recent three-match ODI series against Afghanistan.

CoE sports science staff had visited Kohli in England some time back to check on his recovery. The Shubman Gill led ODI team didn't have any surprises except that young batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has been dropped after being a part of short Afghanistan series. Jaiswal, who scored two centuries in the series, wasn't picked as he was replacement for Kohli in the Afghanistan series. The common practice followed by selection committee is that replacement player will have to make his way once the first choice cricketer out with injury makes a comeback. "Against England, there won't be much experiment with top order. Virat comes back at No.3 and Gill will open with Rohit Sharma. For back up opener's slot, selectors have Ishan Kishan who can be used as a floater," a BCCI source privy to selection matters told PTI. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah has also been called back to the squad after being rested for workload management.

Also making a comeback is veteran all rounder Axar Patel, who replaced rookie left arm spinner Harsh Dubey. Dubey will link up with the India A red ball squad for the multi-day series against Sri Lanka A. "The Indian team management will give chances to both Dubey and Axar periodically to check who will be more suitable going into the World Cup. As of now only Ravindra Jadeja is being looked at as a Test specialist," the source added. India will play the three ODIs against England at Edgbaston (July 14), Sophia Gardens (July 16) and Lord's (July 19).