​India will aim to end a discouraging run of form when they face England in the first of three ODIs in Birmingham on Tuesday, after a T20I series that marked their first-ever six-match losing streak in the format. The white-ball setback, which also included an earlier defeat to Ireland on this tour, cost India top billing in the T20I rankings and leaves the two-time world champions seeking a rapid turnaround as the tour transitions to the 50-over format.
England, by contrast, arrive in strong form. Their coaching setup has seen a notable shake-up following the series win, with Brendon McCullum stepping down as Test head coach but remaining in charge of the white-ball side alongside captain Harry Brook. India’s likely XI includes Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, and Jasprit Bumrah. Virat Kohli will return to India colours for the first time since the IPL Final on May 31, having missed the recent series against Afghanistan due to injury. His last appearance for India came in an ODI series against New Zealand at home earlier in the year.
Kohli’s timing could not be better for India. In his last seven ODI innings, Kohli has struck 616 runs at an average of 123.20 and a strike rate of 108.64, figures that hint his return alone could lend the batting line-up the stability that eluded them throughout the T20I whitewash. Rohit Sharma, who has shown solid form in the Afghanistan series, will also be looking for a big score. In Afghanistan, Rohit managed 79, 48 and 16 in successive innings. The coming ODI series provides him with a chance to set the tone early and demonstrate the leadership expected of him as India seek to reset their approach after a rough patch.
The partnership between Rohit and Kohli—often referred to by fans and pundits as “RoKo,” a nickname derived from the first two letters of each name—has become one of Indian cricket’s most celebrated batting blocs. This duo has steadied India’s innings in numerous major tournaments over the years, and their reunion in the UK adds a compelling storyline to the ODI series. Rohit Sharma’s century celebrations against Australia alongside Kohli in Sydney have become iconic moments in India’s batting history, underscoring the potential impact both can have when they click together.
As India plot their response, Kohli’s numbers offer a useful yardstick. He has accumulated 616 runs in his last seven ODI innings and has averaged nearly 52 in England, with a century already to his name in the format on this tour. Yet questions persist about his fitness after an injury layoff and how that might influence his performance at Edgbaston. Nevertheless, most observers expect him to come out with a solid, productive performance, providing a much-needed anchor for India’s batting lineup.
All eyes will be on Tuesday’s start in Birmingham as India look to stop the rot and reassert themselves in the 50-over format. The series presents an opportunity for Kohli to prove his form and for Rohit to regain his edge, while the team as a whole aims to translate the confidence from the England clashes into consistent performance across the 50-over format. With Kohli’s return and the proven leadership of Rohit at the helm, India will be hoping for a stronger showing that can set the tone for the rest of the tour.