IND vs WI: Why is Virat Kohli Not Playing Today’s West Indies vs India 2nd ODI? Check India Playing 11

Incidentally, Team India are not playing their star batsman Virat Kohli in the second ODI encounter against West Indies taking place at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. India took a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series following a sensational 5-wicket victory over West Indies in the opening ODI match.

IND vs WI: Why is Virat Kohli Not Playing Today’s West Indies vs India 2nd ODI?

During the toss, it was revealed that Virat Kohli is not part of the India playing XI for this WI vs IND 1st ODI match. India’s stand-in captain Hardik Pandya mentioned that they have rested both the senior batsmen Kohli and Rohit Sharma in order to give opportunities to some players and provide them game time ahead of the ODI World Cup 2023 scheduled to be played later this year at home. Interestingly, Virat did not even came out to bat in the first ODI match where India were chasing a small total of 114 runs. Team India have included both Axar Patel and Sanju Samson in the playing 11 for this second ODI encounter.

“We were looking to bat first. We want to see how much we can score on this pitch which is a bit up and down. Rohit and Virat have been playing constant cricket, so they are resting in this game. They can be fresh for the third ODI. I think when you get someone out for 115, it’s a good effort from the bowlers. Our catching was impressive, but we can improve in certain areas. Instead of losing five wickets, we could have lost only two wickets and finished the last game. Sanju Samson and Axar Patel come in for Rohit and Virat,” said India stand-in captain Hardik Pandya during the toss.

IND Playing XI

1. Ishan Kishan
2. Shubman Gill
3. Sanju Samson
4. Suryakumar Yadav
5. Axar Patel
6. Hardik Pandya (C)
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Shardul Thakur
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Mukesh Kumar
11. Umran Malik

WI vs IND 2023 Schedule