What If Virat Kohli Misses the Champions Trophy , Shreyas Iyer to the Rescue!

In a rare turn of events, the first ODI between India and England saw the absence of Virat Kohli due to injury, which took everyone by surprise. For a 36-year-old player of his stature, missing a match due to injury is an unusual sight, with his last such absence dating back to 2022. However, the absence of Kohli on the field gave Shreyas Iyer the perfect opportunity to step in as a last-minute replacement, and he seized it brilliantly. Iyer’s match-winning knock guided India to chase down the total successfully, showcasing his maturity and ability to shine under pressure.

With Kohli out, the Indian middle order found a strong anchor in Shreyas Iyer, who has consistently proven himself in that position. Alongside him, Shubman Gill batted at one down, continuing his solid form, while young Yashasvi Jaiswal made his debut, opening the innings with Rohit Sharma. This reshuffled top and middle order performed impressively, creating a well-rounded batting line-up.

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Looking at the current line-up, it’s clear that without Virat Kohli, India still seems like a complete unit. With the solid opening partnership between Rohit and Jaiswal, followed by Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer stabilizing the middle order, the team looks versatile and balanced. The depth in batting and flexibility within the order gives India a strong foundation, making the absence of one of their star players less noticeable.

Of course, this is purely a hypothetical scenario—what if Virat Kohli were to miss more matches in the future? The team is still capable of executing their plans efficiently. Though Kohli’s experience and class are irreplaceable, India’s depth and adaptability in the current setup make them a force to reckon with. If Kohli were to miss more games, the team could still function seamlessly, proving that India’s strength lies in its collective unit.

India Playing XI Without Virat Kohli

Rohit Sharma(c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav

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